Severe Tornado Strikes Garden City, Mississippi, Prompting Urgent Warnings

A significant tornado has struck Garden City, Mississippi, leading to urgent warnings from the National Weather Service. Residents are facing life-threatening conditions as the tornado moves through rural areas. With the potential for severe damage to homes and vehicles, officials are urging immediate action to seek shelter. Another tornado warning is also in effect for nearby counties. Stay informed and take precautions to ensure safety during this dangerous weather event.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 7, 2026, 05:52 IST

Tornado Hits Garden City

On Wednesday evening, a powerful and highly dangerous tornado swept through Garden City, Mississippi, leading the National Weather Service to issue a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) tornado warning for the northeastern region of Wilkinson County. The tornado was detected over Garden City at 6:53 p.m. CDT, approximately 16 miles southwest of Meadville, and was advancing eastward at nearly 40 mph, as reported by the National Weather Service office in New Orleans.

Authorities alerted residents to the imminent threat to life as the tornado traversed predominantly rural areas of northeastern Wilkinson County. Radar confirmed the storm's presence, indicating it had the potential to inflict significant damage, with forecasts suggesting the possibility of total destruction of homes, businesses, vehicles, and mobile homes.

The weather service emphasized the lethal risk posed by flying debris for anyone without adequate shelter and strongly urged residents to seek cover immediately. Concurrently, another tornado warning was in effect until 7:30 p.m. CDT for northeastern Forrest County and southeastern Lamar County in Mississippi. The National Weather Service in Jackson confirmed a tornado near Purvis at 6:58 p.m. CDT, moving east at 50 mph.

This storm was anticipated to affect areas such as Hattiesburg, Purvis, Rock Hill, Pine Ridge, and McLaurin. Officials cautioned that the tornado could generate damaging winds and quarter-sized hail, posing risks of damage to homes, vehicles, roofs, windows, and trees. Both warnings stressed, 'TAKE COVER NOW!' advising residents to relocate to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy structure and to avoid windows. Those outdoors, in vehicles, or in mobile homes were urged to find substantial shelter immediately, as both tornadoes were confirmed to be on the ground.