, followed by an F4 in Mississippi that produced continuous damage for and continued into Tennessee. A third, F4 tornado traveled through Little Yazoo, Mississippi, and near Lexington. The three violent tornadoes moved at up to , and eyewitnesses reported more than 50 tornadoes or funnel clouds in the Mississippi Delta region alone, many of which were sightings of the same tornado. At one point, the National Weather Service (NWS) WSR-57, a type of weather radar, in Jackson, Mississippi, reported four hook echoes, often indicative of tornado-producing supercells, simultaneously. Although authorities issued timely tornado warnings—with an average lead time of about an hour in the worst-hit areas—few homes in the area were well constructed, and many lacked basements or other safe areas, thus contributing to the large number of deaths. Many residents were reportedly aware of the danger but could not find shelter in time. As a result, the violent tornadoes killed entire families and caused as many as 21 deaths in some communities. Many of the dead were blacks who resided in frail structures. The entire outbreak may have killed 113–119 people and injured as many as 2,003 others. In Mississippi alone, tornadoes officially killed 110 people and injured 1,469; of these, 454 persons were hospitalized. Some sources listed 107 deaths and 1,060–1,514 injuries in Mississippi. Outbreak statistics Confirmed tornadoes The actual total was likely considerably higher, especially over rural areas. The following events may have occurred but were not officially documented and currently do not appear on any official database: On February 21, at 00:30 UTC, a tornado may have hit Toccopola, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, according to a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). On the same date a , tornado began at 02:31 UTC, near Statesville, Wilson County, Tennessee, and passed through Prosperity before ending at Liberty, in DeKalb County. In all, the tornado destroyed or severely damaged 10 homes, 15 barns, and 14 other structures, along with a spacious brick church. Half a dozen cars were damaged as well, and at least one home lost its roof. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F3. February 21 event February 22 event Waverly–Melbourne, Louisiana/Delta City–Inverness–Moorhead, Mississippi This devastating, long-lived tornado—of F5 intensity in Louisiana, F4 in Mississippi—was likely a family of multiple tornadoes. It first appeared aloft northwest of Crowville, Louisiana, before finally touching down south-southeast of Delhi. Shortly after developing,