BROOKHAVEN — Severe storms are in Sunday’s forecast according to the National Weather Service. With the possible weather event a few days out there is little specific details provided for the extent of weather hazards or timing of these severe storms. 

Residents are reminded to sign up for Hyper-Reach to receive alerts on weather and other important community announcements. Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Reid has made several appearances at city and county board meetings reminding people to sign up for the alert system. The alert system uses cell phone location to send weather alerts.  

Landline phones were automatically enrolled in the system but residents will need to sign their devices up. Lincoln County residents can do so by either calling or texting “Alert” to 601-435-8111 or by going to Hyper-Reach’s website. 

Residents can additionally download the Hyper-Reach Anywhere app on their phone or tell their Alexa device “Alexa, enable Hyper-Reach,” and follow Alexa’s instructions.

Tornadic activity 

March has been a busy month for severe weather in Mississippi. According to the National Weather Service, 21 tornadoes touched down or tracked across the state since March 1st. 

On March 15, NWS reported 15 tornadoes touched down in a severe weather event. One of those tornadoes was an EF4 which tracked for 67.7 miles and destroyed communities in Walthall and Jefferson Davis Counties. NWS reports the EF4 touched down in Tangipahoa Parish on March 15th at 12:17 pm and ended in Covington County at 1:39 pm. Wind speeds are estimated to have reached 170 mph at the tornado’s max strength and the tornado’s max width was 1,200 yards. 

Historically, March has the second highest number of tornadoes by month in Mississippi with 442. April leads the way with 706 tornadoes in Mississippi since records began in 1880. On average there are 22 tornadoes in a year in Mississippi but 2022 the state recorded a high of 122 tornadoes. Mississippi has seen 39 three months into 2025.