NWS Jackson, MS Newton County Tornado

...NEWTON COUNTY STORM...

INDICATIONS FROM A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SURVEY TEAM

SHOW THAT THE STORM THAT CAUSED DAMAGE IN THE NEWTON AREA OF

NEWTON COUNTY ON DECEMBER 19, 2002, SHORTLY AFTER 1 PM THURSDAY

AFTERNOON, WAS IN FACT A TORNADO. THE TORNADO WILL BE RATED AN

F2 ON THE FUJITA SCALE.

A tornado developed in Newton County, just southwest of the city

of Newton. It moved 5.5 miles northeast through the city,

resulting in approximately 50 injuries and damage to numerous

buildings. In all, over 150 homes and 95 businesses were either

damaged or destroyed. The most extensive damage occurred near

the city's Wal-Mart, which received heavy roof damage. The

tornado lifted just northeast of the intersection of State

Road 15 and Interstate 20.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGIST

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON

601-936-2189