Mississippi emergency officials describe the damage left behind by Monday's severe hail storm as extensive.
Large hail of at least half-dollar-size pounded over two dozen counties around the state with the most widespread, significant damage reported across central Mississippi including the Jackson metro area.
This is where the largest hail up to tennis ball, baseball and softball-size was reported with hundreds of vehicles, homes and buildings severely damaged.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) headquarters, which responds to such disasters, was hit hard by this hail storm as it moved through Pearl, just east of Jackson.
"Much of the agency’s fleet of vehicles sustained extensive damage from the golfball to tennis ball sized hail," MEMA reported.
MEMA said 34 fleet vehicles, satellite radio communication systems, additional response equipment and the State Emergency Operations Center itself were all damaged by the large hail.
The State Fire and Law Enforcement academies and the Department of Environmental Quality reported damage to their buildings and multiple vehicles.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol said more than 100 of their vehicles sustained damage. Jackson police officials said 25 of their vehicles were damaged.
General Sales Manager David Rinehart of Paul Moak Honda in Jackson said 250 Hondas, Volvos and Subarus vehicles were damaged at their dealership. Many of the vehicles had broken windows and windshields. David Hall, General Sales Manager of nearby Herrin-Gear dealership, said every car on their 20 acres of lots are damaged, WLBT-TV reported.
The Clinton Public School District said Lovett Elementary School sustained such severe hail damage that it has had to close for the rest of the year with the students having to be relocated. Nearly every classroom has leaks due to roof damage.
Rankin County Emergency Operations Director Bob Wedgeworth says more than 300 homes were damaged across the county.
There are also reports of shattered windows, roof damage and vehicle damage at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield and Baptist Hospital in Jackson.
The National Weather Service said the hail damage cost to the Jackson metro area will likely be staggering with this weather event likely being one to remember for years to come.
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