Holly Springs-Ashland Tornado Map
On the evening of December 23, 2015, a large, violent, and deadly late-season tornado impacted the communities of Chulahoma, Holly Springs, Ashland in Mississippi and Selmer in Tennessee. This tornado resulted in nine fatalities and 36 injuries. This was the only violent tornado of a larger outbreak, and one of the four violent tornadoes of the 2015 tornado season.
The path of the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado
On the afternoon of Wednesday, December 23, 2015, a tornado touched down 3 miles north of Shelby. Over the next 61.6 miles it traveled northeast before lifting 6 miles east of Como.
At its widest the damage path was 800 yards across. It was rated EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, a strong tornado. It killed 2 people and injured 28.
The track, widths and figures on this map come from the Storm Prediction Center's survey record, so they can differ slightly from totals published elsewhere.
What was the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado?
The Holly Springs-Ashland tornado struck communities in northern Mississippi and southern Tennessee on the evening of December 23, 2015. This violent storm system generated nine fatalities and 36 injuries across its path. It achieved a peak intensity of low-end EF4 as it moved through the region. This event stands out as the only violent tornado of the larger December outbreak. It remains one of only four violent tornadoes documented during the 2015 season.
What was the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado wind speed?
Meteorologists estimated peak wind speeds of 170 mph for the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado. These maximum winds occurred near the community of Hamilton in Benton County. Earlier in its life cycle, surveyors measured winds of 145 mph near Chulahoma and 160 mph near Beverly Chapel. The tornado also produced EF3 strength damage across sections of Mississippi and Tennessee. These wind speed estimates rely on detailed National Weather Service damage surveys conducted along the entire path.
What was the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado path?
The tornado touched down north of Tyro near Pearl Smith Road in Tate County, Mississippi. From there, the vortex moved northeast across Marshall, Benton, and Tippah counties. It crossed the state line into Tennessee, where it impacted Hardeman and McNairy counties. The tornado eventually dissipated south of Selmer, Tennessee. Its total ground path reached 75.09 mi in length.
How many people died in the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado?
The Holly Springs-Ashland tornado caused nine fatalities and 36 injuries. Two deaths occurred in Marshall County, including a 7-year-old boy and an 80-year-old woman. Six fatalities happened in Benton County, where the tornado swept away homes. One additional person died in Tippah County after the tornado crossed the county line. Rescuers searched for days in Benton County, where they eventually located the body of a missing individual.
What did the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado destroy?
The tornado demolished multiple churches, including the Mount Gillie Community Church and the Beverly Chapel CME Church. It leveled numerous homes, mobile homes, and single-wide trailers throughout Marshall and Benton counties. The storm destroyed sections of the Holly Springs Motorsports grandstands and flipped many vehicles. In Tennessee, the vortex destroyed a large metal agricultural building and damaged a convenience store. It left hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed across its entire path.
What caused the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado?
A cold front from the Texas Panhandle and a warm front from the Ohio River valley created an environment conducive to severe weather. This system formed a triple point over northwestern Missouri, which supported discrete supercell development. The Storm Prediction Center noted Convective Available Potential Energy values between 1,000 and 2,000 J/kg in the region. Daytime heating improved buoyancy, while effective wind shear provided the necessary rotation for supercells. Consequently, the SPC issued a PDS tornado watch for the area.
What happened after the Holly Springs-Ashland tornado?
Volunteers and relief organizations arrived to assist residents across the affected Mississippi counties. Samaritan's Purse established a base at the Ashland Baptist Church to distribute tarps, chainsaws, and generators. Operation BBQ Relief provided meals to displaced residents and first responders in Holly Springs. Volunteers performed roof tarping and checked on livestock for local farmers. Communities focused on clearing massive amounts of debris from leveled homes and damaged infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Citations
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