Severe thunderstorm warning continues for Quitman County, strong winds possible

A severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect late Tuesday for Marks and central Quitman County, with the National Weather Service warning that 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail could hit the area before 11:30 p.m. The warning also covered nearby parts of Lafayette, Yalobusha, Coahoma, Tunica and Panola counties, putting residents near Batesville, Water Valley, Oxford and the John W. Kyle State Park area in the storm’s path.

At 10:39 p.m. CDT, the storm was about 7 miles northwest of Darling and moving east at 50 mph. That speed meant the line of storms could reach more homes and roads quickly, leaving little time for anyone caught outside or driving to get to safety. The weather service said impacts could include damage to roofs, siding and trees, raising the risk of scattered power outages across neighborhoods in and around Marks.

National Weather Service forecasters in Memphis said severe thunderstorm warnings mean people should take action and seek shelter in a strong building because severe weather is occurring or will occur shortly. For Quitman County residents, that meant getting inside before the worst of the storm arrived and staying off the roads if possible, especially on routes where falling limbs, reduced visibility and hail could make travel dangerous.

The warning came during a stretch when severe weather has been common across Mississippi. National Weather Service Jackson said storms across the state could bring damaging wind gusts, hail up to half-dollar size, tornadoes south of the I-20 corridor and localized rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches that could trigger flash flooding in low-lying and urban areas. The agency said severe thunderstorms are most common in March, April and May in Mississippi, which made the late-April threat especially relevant for the Delta.

Officials urged people in the warning area to treat the storm as an immediate hazard until the 11:30 p.m. expiration time. With wind, hail and fast-moving rain all possible, the safest move in Marks and the surrounding Quitman County area was to stay under cover and wait until the warning passed.