At least 26 people were killed after a tornado touched down in Mississippi just after sunset Friday in a storm system that brought twisters, heavy rain, gusty winds and hail as it traveled across the South.
The storm system tore through Mississippi and produced a tornado that touched down and caused catastrophic damage to communities across the state. In Rolling Fork, a rural town about 60 miles northwest of the state capital of Jackson, what were once buildings are now scattered piles of rubble. The twister moved northeast, devastating rural areas.
The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down about 60 miles northeast of Jackson, Mississippi. Silver City and Rolling Fork were reporting destruction as the tornado continued to move northeast at 70 mph, moving toward Alabama through cities including Winona and Amory into the night. According to poweroutage.us, thousands of people in the region are still without power.
“Every road in this town is gone,” said Roger Cummings of Silver City, who said his nephew died in the storm.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a Twitter post Friday night that search and rescue teams were active and officials were sending more ambulances and emergency resources to victims.
“Many in MS Delta need your prayers and God’s protection tonight,” the post said. “Watch the weather report and stay alert all night, Mississippi!”
Now, with officials like Reeves pleading for help as residents continue to survey damage after the storm, the governor tweeted Saturday that search and rescue teams are “still active” and that the damage “will be felt in these cities forever.”
On Saturday afternoon the governor declared a state of emergency in all counties affected by the storm.
Last night’s violent tornado killed at least 23 Mississippians. We know many others have been injured. Search and rescue teams are still active.
The loss will be felt forever in this township. Pray for God’s hand over all those who have lost family and friends.
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 25, 2023
President Joe Biden issued a statement Saturday addressing the devastation.
“Jill and I are praying for those who lost loved ones in the devastating tornadoes in Mississippi and for those whose loved ones are still missing,” he said. “The images across Mississippi are heartbreaking. While we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we know that many of our fellow Americans are not only grieving for family and friends, they have lost their homes and businesses.”
Biden said he has spoken with Reeves and other Mississippi legislators to offer “full federal support” to affected communities. He also said that representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have already been deployed to the area.
“We will do everything we can to help. We will be there as long as it takes. We will work together to provide you with the support you need to recover,” Biden added.
Forecasters have been warning of severe weather outbreaks for days, even launching a weather balloon on Thursday. Damaging storms are expected to bring deadly twisters to the region on Thursday and Friday
In southern Missouri, a car with six teenagers inside was swept away by floodwaters. Two of them did not survive.
At least two tornadoes touched down in North Texas on Friday with winds of over 100 mph.
Eric Huntley excavated what remained of his house.
“As soon as I got the warning I went outside to look and then I heard howling,” he said of the storm. “I’ll never forget that word.”
Trending news
Omar Villafranca
