Two tornadoes strike South MS, leaving trail of damage in Gautier and Pascagoula
Two tornadoes pounded Gautier and Pascagoula on Sunday with fierce winds that broke windows, pulled apart buildings and knocked out power for thousands of homes as severe storms thundered east across the region.
The storm damaged the roof of Aztecas Restaurant & Cantina in Gautier and collapsed walls of several nearby apartments. In Pascagoula, winds downed trees across the east side of the city and authorities said at least one person was rescued from flooding in a low-lying area.
“Everybody that I’ve come across is amazed at the damage a storm can cause to a building,” Gautier Police Chief David Bever said.
Emergency responders said Sunday morning that they had already searched the heaviest-hit areas and had no reports of injuries.
Photos and videos from Gautier showed scattered chairs and tables at Aztecas, splintered and torn-apart roofs and debris swirling across neighborhoods where the weather disrupted many residents’ plans for Sunday church services.
Gautier Mayor Casey Vaughan said on social media that first responders were “working diligently to assess conditions, clear debris, and restore services as quickly as possible.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all who were affected by this storm,” he said. “Gautier is a strong, resilient community, and together we will move forward in recovery and support of our neighbors.”
The exact track of each tornado was not immediately clear. But authorities said the worst damage seemed to be in Gautier, near Aztecas and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where the tornado touched down.
Jackson County Public Safety Director Earl Etheridge said the tornado in Gautier tracked northeast past Martin Bluff Road, through Hickory Hills and into the Pascagoula River. In Pascagoula, he said a tornado damaged at least one house on Catalina Street and moved up the east side of the city, knocking down several trees before moving north towards Moss Point.
The damaged buildings in Gautier include the Glenmark Apartments and Riverbend Condominiums. Emergency responders were still assessing the city but estimated less than 10 homes had been damaged. The police and fire departments had already cleared the two apartment complexes by 11 a.m.
Pascagoula Police Chief Terry Scott said the tornado touched down in three places and damaged neighborhoods near Catalina and Arlington streets. Trees were blocking some roads in the eastern part of the city.
“Other than that, I think we’re OK here,” Scott said.
The power was still out for more than 2,000 homes across the county before noon, according to Singing River Electric. The company said dispatchers were reporting broken poles and many downed power lines and had assigned linemen to work until power is restored.
The National Weather Service said the severe weather threat for southern Mississippi had ended by 11:30 a.m., but added that several strong storms and waterspouts could cross offshore throughout the day.
This story was originally published October 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM.