Extremely Dangerous PDS Tornado on the Ground Near Wiggins, Mississippi, 9,271 People in Direct Path
WIGGINS, MS – An extremely dangerous PDS tornado is on the ground near Wiggins, Mississippi, moving northeast and putting thousands of residents in an immediate life-threatening situation as of Thursday, June 18, 2026. A Tornado Warning is in effect and expires at 8:45 AM CDT, but the danger is active right now and residents must take cover immediately.
What is a PDS Tornado and Why This One is Different
A Particularly Dangerous Situation, or PDS, is a rare and elevated designation that the National Weather Service only applies to the most violent and destructive tornado events. This is not a routine tornado warning. A PDS tornado warning means forecasters have extremely high confidence that a large, long-track, and potentially violent tornado is occurring. The tornado is confirmed on the ground near Wiggins, moving northeast at 17 mph with radar-indicated rotation clearly visible and active. Hail up to penny size under 0.75 inches is also possible with this storm and the warning expires at 8:45 AM CDT on June 18, 2026.
9,271 People and 3,695 Homes Under Direct Threat
According to warning data, 9,271 people and 3,695 homes fall within the warning polygon right now. This is not a small or isolated threat. The communities most at risk include:
- Wiggins – directly in the tornado’s current path
- Purvis – within the broader threat zone
- Hattiesburg – northeast corridor at elevated risk
- Lucedale – in or near the warning polygon
Residents in all of these areas must treat this warning as a direct threat to their location and not assume the storm will shift away.
Take Cover on the Lowest Floor Right Now
If you are anywhere near Wiggins or the surrounding communities, every second matters. Move immediately to the lowest floor of a sturdy building and get to an interior room with no windows such as a bathroom or closet. Do not go outside for any reason until the warning has expired and officials confirm it is safe. If you are in a mobile home or vehicle, leave immediately and find a solid structure. If caught outdoors with no shelter, lie flat in the lowest ground you can find and cover your head with your hands. Do not wait to see the tornado before acting. By the time a tornado is visible it may already be too late to reach safety.
Warning Expires 8:45 AM CDT But Threat Continues Beyond
The current Tornado Warning expires at 8:45 AM CDT on June 18, 2026, but the severe weather threat across Mississippi is far from over. The broader Gulf South storm system is producing dangerous conditions across the entire region throughout the day. Residents should expect additional tornado warnings to be issued as storms continue developing, flash flooding across multiple counties, and ongoing severe thunderstorm activity well into the afternoon and evening hours. Do not assume the all-clear once this warning expires. Stay sheltered, keep weather alerts active on your phone, and monitor conditions closely throughout the rest of the day.
A PDS tornado on the ground near Wiggins is one of the most serious weather events Mississippi can face. As this storm continues northeast and new warnings are issued across the state, every minute of updated information could be the difference between safety and tragedy. Visit pinewhispers.net for continuous coverage as this life-threatening situation develops throughout the day.
Visit pinewhispers.net for continuous coverage as this life-threatening situation develops throughout the day.
