The February 26, 1958 tornado

F3Copiah, Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties, Mississippi

An F3 tornado on a 69.7-mile path that killed 8 and injured 26. It was one of 14 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 4 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F3 tornado · February 26, 1958

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 69.7 miles

Now in—

RatingF3

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 60 yards

TownsSized by population today; those within 3 miles flash as it passes

Counties on the pathLit as the tornado enters them

Source: Storm Prediction Center path, drawn through NOAA Storm Events county segments. Times as logged by the National Weather Service. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F3; Fujita scale
Path length: 69.7 mi; Width up to 60 yards
Killed: 8; Along the whole path
Injured: 26; Along the whole path
Date and time: Wednesday, February 26, 1958; 5:30 PM CST
That day: 14; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.