View source for 1971 Inverness tornado

{{short description|1971 tornado across the Mississippi Delta}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox weather event
| image                = F5 Tornado damage in Inverness, MS.png
| alt                  = 
| caption              = Aerial of Inverness, MS after the tornado.
| formed               = Feb 21, 1971, 3:08&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone|CDT]] ([[UTC−05:00]])
| duration             = 1 hour, 25 minutes
| dissipated           = Feb 21, 1971, 5:10&nbsp;pm. CDT (UTC−05:00)}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| basin                = atl
| winds                = 
| fujita-scale         = F5
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year                 = 1971 
| deaths               = 48
| injuries             = 510
| damages              = 
| affected             = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season               =[[Tornado outbreak of February 21–22, 1971]]
}}

On the afternoon of Sunday, February 21, 1971, a deadly and long-tracked [[Fujita scale|F5]] [[tornado]] impacted the [[Mississippi Delta]], killing 48 and injuring over 500. The tornado was the strongest tornado of the [[Tornado outbreak of February 21–22, 1971|1971 Mississippi Delta tornado outbreak]], and second deadliest behind [[Tornado outbreak of February 21–22, 1971#Cary–Gooden Lake–Pugh City–Morgan City–Money, Mississippi/Middleton, Tennessee|a later F4 tornado]] the same day. The tornado is most notable for tracking directly through [[Inverness, Mississippi]], destroying over 90% of the town. The tornado is the first and only [[Fujita scale|F5]]/[[EF5]] tornado to impact the state of [[Louisiana]].

==Meteorological synopsis==
[[File:February 21, 1971, 1200 UTC surface analysis.jpg|thumb|Surface weather analysis over the Gulf Coastal Plain by 12:00 UTC.|left|235x235px]]{{Full article|Tornado outbreak of February 21–22, 1971}}
Multiple days before the event, upper-level analysis displayed conditions that were "close to ideal" for a significant tornado outbreak. A large upper-level [[Trough (meteorology)|trough]] situated across the Rockies, with a substantial eastward motion toward the Great Plains, leading to significant [[Divergence#Physical interpretation of divergence|divergence]] over the prefrontal [[Warm front#Warm sector|warm sector]]. This divergence caused a significant lifting mechanism that storms could take advantage of, but surface-based shortwave meteorology was still very new, and subsequently, it was unknown how the system would behave further in the week.

On February 21, 1971, a procedural [[surface weather analysis]] failed to indicate either a well-developed [[low-pressure area]], or a defined [[Weather front|frontal boundary]] near the Mississippi Delta region; signs that would normally indicate a [[severe weather]] outbreak. At the time, an amorphous [[warm front]] extended eastward from [[East Texas#Geography|East Texas]] to portions of [[Mississippi]], and a relating [[cold front]] extended southward over east Texas. Temperatures across the region rose to 60-70 F, with signs of significant instability and dew points. 

By 3:00 AM CDT, the [[Storm Prediction Center|NSSFC]] released a severe weather outlook. The outlook stated that "a few severe thunderstorms were expected" during the afternoon across eastern Texas to western [[Alabama]]. Again at 9:00AM CDT, a severe weather outlook was released further establishing the possibility of severe thunderstorms around Texas, Louisiana, [[Arkansas]], Mississippi, [[Tennessee]], and Alabama.<ref name="BackgroundSources">Multiple sources:

* {{harvnb|Grazulis|1993b|p=81}}
* {{harvnb|NOAA|1971|pp=19–21}}
* {{harvnb|NOAA|Saltsman|1971|p=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Grazulis |first=Thomas P. |title=The Tornado: Its Structure, Dynamics, Prediction, and Hazards |chapter=A 110-year perspective of significant tornadoes |date=1993a |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/gm079p0467 |series=Geophysical Monograph Series |volume=79 |pages=467–474 |access-date=2024-01-12 |place=Washington, D. C. |publisher=American Geophysical Union|doi=10.1029/gm079p0467 |isbn=0-87590-038-0 }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Tornado summary==

=== Formation ===
[[File:Tornado damage in Delhi, LA.png|thumb|252x252px|Significant damage to a home in Delhi, LA]]
The tornado touched down roughly 3 miles southeast of [[Delhi, Louisiana|Delhi, LA]] at 3:08 PM CDT.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mississippi Delta tornadoes of February 21, 1971; a report to the Administrator |url=https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/7052 |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=repository.library.noaa.gov}}</ref> Tracking northeast, in minutes the tornado widened and strengthened. Trees along Cow Bayou Rd were snapped and destroyed, and the tornado had likely grown hundreds of yards wide. The tornado was most likely moving at over 50 mph as it approached [[Highway 80]] from the south flattening swaths of trees, and witnesses described it as looking like "a thousand hells." A [[farmstead]] on Cornist Rd was completely destroyed, and multiple vehicles at the property were mangled. 11 residents, many of whom were children, were thrown into a nearby bayou and killed. As the tornado continued, a large church to the northeast was flattened, and a [[Transmission tower|steel transmission tower]] was crumpled to the ground before the vortex tracked through miles of forest, impacting multiple small farms and homes north of [[Waverly, Louisiana|Waverly, LA.]]<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Grazulis |first=T. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A8NbPwAACAAJ |title=Significant Tornadoes, 1680-1991 |date=1993b |publisher=Environmental Films |isbn=978-1-879362-03-1 |pages=1121 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Transylvania–Isola ===
[[File:Delta City, MS Tornado Damage.png|thumb|F5 damage to the center of Delta City, MS|left|284x284px]]Approaching the community of [[Transylvania, Louisiana|Transylvania, LA]], the powerful tornado continued to expand. Homes near Dawson Rd lost roofs and exterior walls, and one home was destroyed. The worst damage in Louisiana would occur near Pecan Rd, as multiple brick homes were severely damaged or destroyed, and several [[Manufactured housing|manufactured homes]] were shifted off their foundations. Northeast towards [[Highway 65]], vehicles driving across the highway were caught in the circulation, and a home was partially destroyed. No one in Transylvania died, however several were significantly injured. From here the tornado crossed the [[Mississippi River]], clearing large swaths of trees in the process, it entered Mississippi at roughly 3:40 PM CDT,<ref name=":0" /> crossing to the north of [[Fitler, Mississippi|Fitler, MS]] and crossing [[List of highways numbered 1|Highway 1]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details |website=National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10048631 |access-date=2024-01-12 |id=10048631}}</ref> Five homes along the highway were completely destroyed, including a large [[plantation]]. Further into Mississippi, the tornado's wind field reached a width of 2,000 yards, snapping trees and destroying or damaging dozens of rural homes in [[Issaquena County, Mississippi|Issaquena County]]. More miles of forest were shredded as the tornado continued, passing 3 miles to the west of [[Rolling Fork, Mississippi|Rolling Fork, MS]] across the [[Issaquena County, Mississippi|Issaquena]]-Sharkey County border.<ref name=":2" /> Near [[List of highways numbered 14|Highway 14]], a [[mobile home]] was obliterated, killing a woman, and a plantation was damaged. The core of the tornado was now producing significant ground scouring to fields, and impacted trees were obliterated, and partially debarked. The tornado tracked another 10 miles to the northeast towards Highway 61, destroying more homes, most of which were trailers or manufactured homes.<ref name=":1" /> As the tornado crossed Highway 61, the large [[Cameta Plantation]] was directly impacted as well as multiple shops, homes, and metal buildings nearby. Every structure near the highway was completely obliterated, with most of the plantation completely swept away and granulated by the strong winds. Trees were now severely debarked and reduced to stubs along the highway as well. At least 3 people were killed here, and evidence of intense [[Multiple-vortex tornado|sub-vortices]] manifested in intense strips of ground scouring around the main vortex. More homes were swept away as the tornado continued across [[Deer Creek (Mississippi)|Deer Creek]] and further into rural [[Sharkey County, Mississippi|Sharkey County]]. A large [[storage tank]] was lofted over 1,000 yards from its location, and trees were again debarked and turned to stubs. The small community of [[Delta City, Mississippi|Delta City]] was now in the direct path. Clusters of farmsteads and homes were destroyed southwest of Delta City, before the tornado would make a direct impact on the [[village]] at 4:10 PM CDT.<ref name=":0" /> Dozens of homes were swept and granulated from their foundations. Numerous locations, including a large school, multiple stores, the local [[post office]] and [[funeral home]], multiple farms, and large industrial buildings were also swept away or flattened. Debris from Delta City was significantly windrowed northeast into fields, and a large church near the edge of Delta City was flattened as well. Cars were lofted and mangled, and multiple people died.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details |website=National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10048633 |id=10048633 |access-date=2024-01-12}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=23 Feb 1971 |title=Cleanup Underway in Delta City |newspaper=[[Clarion-Ledger]] |location=Jackson, MS |pages=1–14}}</ref>  

More extreme damage was documented northeast of Delta City. Trees were debarked in swaths and ground scouring was observed in fields. A two-story home was completely flattened as the tornado entered [[Washington County, Mississippi|Washington County]]. In Washington County, scattered damage was inflicted on any residence or farmstead in the general path. Far western portions of the [[Isola, Mississippi|Isola community]] were damaged as the tornado now threatened the heavily populated town of [[Inverness, Mississippi|Inverness]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details |website=National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10048635 |id=10048635 |access-date=2024-01-12}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
=== Inverness ===
[[File:February 21, 1971, Inverness, Mississippi, F4 tornado damage.jpg|thumb|Aerial imagery showing extreme damage to downtown Inverness, MS]]As the tornado entered the town of Inverness, complete devastation began. Virtually the entire town was obliterated, including extreme damage to the local elementary school and the town's [[cotton gin]]. Dozens died as their homes were shredded, and cars were mangled with some never located. The city hall, local bank, post office, and more were also destroyed. Despite significant warning given by the National Weather Service, the community was predominantly low-income, and structures were poorly constructed, leading to increased fatalities. The tornado then crossed through 4th Street into the heart of downtown Inverness, where more businesses were destroyed, including several important government buildings and economic sources. Ground scouring and extreme tree debarking was observed throughout the town as well.<ref name=":1" />   

Past downtown, larger homes in the [[Housing segregation in the United States|"white" neighborhoods]] of Inverness were damaged. Two churches lost roofing and walls, cars were tossed into trees, and farm equipment was mangled as the tornado finally exited Inverness. The tornado caused 19 deaths in Inverness, and hundreds of injuries.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |title= |work=Mississippi Farm Bureau News Feb 1971 |pages=1–6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reed |first=Roy |date=February 22, 1971 |title=A Town's Luck Ends as Tornado Hits |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/119221898 |access-date=2 February 2022 |work=[[New York Times]] |pages=1, 26|id={{ProQuest|119221898}} }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stowers |first=Mark H. |title=It Happened one Sunday…. |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/life/mslife/2017/02/17/happened-one-sunday/98039430/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |work=[[Clarion-Ledger]] |language=en-US}}</ref>  

=== Moorhead–Dissipation ===
Exiting Inverness, spaced out residences along [[Mound Bayou, Mississippi|Mound Bayou]] were significantly damaged or destroyed, and ground scouring and wind-rowing of debris was observed once again. The vortex began to weaken slightly as it maintained itself through open farmland and forest, snapping trees and damaging a couple of structures. After tracking near [[List of highways numbered 3|Highway 3]] for multiple miles, the town of [[Moorhead, Mississippi|Moorhead]] became situated in the direct path.<ref name=":0" /> 

The tornado entered Moorhead, and while the size was significant, the strength of the tornado had drastically weakened. Homes near the western fringes of Moorhead saw minor roof damage and mobile homes were damaged or flipped. Poorly anchored structures suffered wall collapses as the tornado tracked through town, but damage remained minimal. Despite the weakening, multiple lives were lost in Moorhead. Exiting Moorhead, the tornado rapidly weakened, and quickly dissipated just outside the town.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

{{Clear}}
==Impact and casualties==
In the direct aftermath of the tornado, multiple towns came together to assist in search and rescue, and quickly rebuilding of towns such as Inverness began. Smaller towns however, such as Delta City suffered damage that to this day has not been recovered from, and was predicted by residents whom had "little hope in recovering".<ref name=":3" /> The area of Nitta Yuma. which was home to the Cameta Plantation now only contains a handful of structures, far from how it was before the tornado. The Inverness tornado tracked over 100 miles from Louisiana to Mississippi causing 48 deaths and over 500 injuries. A majority of the destruction occurred to low-income predominately African American residences and families, contributing to the impact. While official sources list the tornado as around 500-600 yards, re-analysis through [[aerial survey]] has found upwards of 2,000 yards in width.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==See also==
* [[List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

===References===
*{{cite tech report |ref={{harvid|NOAA|1971}} |date=July 1971 |title=Mississippi Delta Tornadoes of February 21, 1971 |series=Natural Disaster Survey Report |number=71-2, ''A Report to the Administrator'' |publisher=[[United States Department of Commerce]] |location=Rockville, Maryland |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/Mississippi%20Delta%20ornados%20February%201971.pdf}}
*{{cite journal |ref={{harvid|NOAA|Saltsman|1971}} |author=National Weather Service |last2=Saltsman |first2=E. J. |date=February 1971 |title=Special Weather Summary |department=Mississippi section |journal=Climatological Data |volume=76 |issue=2 |publisher=United States Department of Commerce |publication-place=Asheville, North Carolina |location=Jackson, Mississippi |pages=15–8 |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/cd/cd.html}}

==External links==
{{empty section|date=January 2024}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before = [[1966 Candlestick Park tornado outbreak]] (1966)
| title = Deadliest F5 tornadoes on Record
| years = Feb 21, 1971
| after = [[2011 Hackleburg–Phil Campbell tornado]] (2011)
}}
{{s-end}}

{{F5 and EF5 tornadoes}}

[[Category:1971 in Mississippi|Inverness tornado]]
[[Category:1971 natural disasters in the United States|Inverness tornado]]
[[Category:F5 tornadoes]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Tornadoes of 1971|Inverness tornado]]
[[Category:February 1971 events in the United States]]