Discover the Mississippi City Most Likely to Be Hit by a Tornado

Written by Jaydee Williams
Updated: June 22, 2023
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Mississippi is second in the country on the tornado index. This means that after Oklahoma, the second most likely place to experience a tornado is Mississippi.

Scientists believe that this could be an effect of global warming causing “Tornado Alley,” an area encompassing parts of Oklahoma, Missouri, and a few other Midwestern states, to shift eastward due to recent climate change. The warmer weather that has been occurring recently has led to more tornadoes forming in Mississippi and other states further east. Parts of Mississippi are more at risk than others.

The city that is most likely to be hit by a tornado is Magee, MS. 

Two tornadoes

The city in Mississippi most likely to be hit by a tornado is Magee.

©Huntstyle/Shutterstock.com

About Mississippi’s Tornado Capital

Magee has a score of 473.03 on the tornado index. Compared to Oklahoma’s highest-ranked city, with a score just below 700, 473.03 is still fairly high. 

Magee, MS, is home to 3,888 people as of 2021. The city encompasses a little over five miles of land area and is part of Simpson County. It ranks below the national average in terms of violent crime and below the national average in theft and motor vehicle theft. Magee ranks just above the national average in burglary.

The median household income of Magee is $27,045, which is much lower than the national average. The weather in Magee is usually comfortable. The average mean temperature is 64.4°F, which is slightly warmer than the U.S. average. Magee experiences 56.71 inches of rain each year, which is 18 more inches than the U.S. average. Their rainy season usually lasts from December until April.

The History of Magee

Magee was first settled in the early 1800s by Willie Magee. He built a grist mill on Little Goodwater Creek. The mill attracted workers and settlers, who brought their families to the area and began building homes. On February 25, 1900, the community officially became incorporated as the Village of Magee. By 1910, there was a growing population of 685 residents.

Magee. Mississippi. USA on a map

The city of Magee, MS, encompasses a little over five miles of land area and is part of Simpson County.

©SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com

Magee Today

Magee has quite a bit of culture for such a small city. There’s a modern auditorium and a few local arts groups. An annual event takes place called Crazy Day that usually happens on the third Saturday of September. It’s a local gathering on Main Street where residents can set up and sell homemade goods and products. There is also a pageant and a car show held for the town holiday. Crazy Day is put on by Magee’s Chamber of Commerce, which was first created in 1957. The Chamber notes that they approach the future with a progressive attitude while preserving the hometown values Magee was built on. They also sponsor the homecoming, Christmas parade, tree lighting, and caroling events each year. 

The town has a public library which was established in 1935. The community rebuilt it in 1975 and it continues to actively put on events today. There is a weekly storytime at the library on Wednesdays with other events occurring sporadically throughout the year.

Magee has an average education system in comparison to the rest of the state. They have an elementary, middle, and high school, as well as a branch of Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Because of the numerous opportunities for education, most residents either hold a high school diploma or have some college experience up to an associate’s degree.

Claim to Fame

In 2015, Magee got state-wide attention for a restaurant in the city called “Zip’s”. The restaurant earned the award of best hamburger in Mississippi. In 2022, Zip’s earned another recognition for its amazing burgers. In a Facebook contest put on by the Mississippi Beef Council and the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association, Zip’s was recognized as having Mississippi’s Best Burger of 2022. 

Fresh tasty burger and french fries on wooden table

Magee became known for its restaurant, Zip’s, which won two awards for best burger.

©Triff/Shutterstock.com

Magee Tornado of 2009

On March 26, 2009, Magee experienced the worst tornado to date. It was an EF3 tornado and it ripped through the city, demolishing 60 homes and injuring 25 people. One resident compared the damages of the tornado to Hurricane Katrina, which hit the area a few years earlier. 

When the tornado occurred, it destroyed the city’s water treatment plant. This disrupted the service for the entire city and took a day, four generators, and a lot of effort to get it back up and running. 

E F 3 Tornado in Magee, Mississippi March 26, 2009 destroys Corinth Baptist Church.

Magee experienced extreme damage from the tornado of 2009, including the decimation of Corinth Baptist Church, pictured above.

©Jason L. Price/Shutterstock.com

Where is the Mississippi City Most Likely to be Hit by a Tornado Located on a Map?

Magee, the city most likely to be hit by a tornado in the state of Mississippi, is located southeast of the city of Jackson, in the south-central region of the state. Considered a part of the Jackson metro area – Magee is actually 43 miles from the city. Magee is 45.91 miles from the city of Hattiesburg to its southeast.

Wildlife and Tornadoes

Magee is home to some unique wildlife, including a few threatened species. The chimney swift is a threatened species that earned its name from its unique preference for making nests in chimneys. They migrate during the winter and often experience the most species loss during that time. This is because of roadway incidents and storms like hurricanes and tornadoes. Tornadoes also destroy the nests and habitats of these unique chimney-inhabiting creatures. 

Chimney Swift

Chimney swifts are long-distance migrant birds that are in danger from tornadoes during their migratory patterns.

©iStock.com/Matthew Jolley

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rasica/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Jaydee Williams is a writer at AZ Animals where her primary focus is on gardening, mammals, and travel. She has over 5 years of experience in writing and researching and holds a Master's Degree in English from the American College of Education, which she earned in 2019. A central Florida native, Jaydee loves being on the water, playing music, and petting her cat, Beans.

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