On Friday night, severe tornadoes swept through Mississippi, causing widespread devastation and resulting in the deaths of 23 people, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
The storms, accompanied by golf ball-sized hail, left numerous buildings destroyed, power outages, and left several people injured and missing.
By Saturday morning, search and rescue teams were actively working across the state to aid those affected. The National Weather Service reported significant damage in rural areas northeast of Jackson, including Silver City and Rolling Fork.
The tornado, traveling at 70 mph, moved northeast through Mississippi and continued toward Alabama, impacting towns such as Winona and Amory.
The National Weather Service reported significant damage in rural areas northeast of Jackson, including Silver City and Rolling Fork.Residents were urged to seek immediate shelter due to the life-threatening conditions. Cornel Knight, a resident of Rolling Fork, described the eerie quiet before the tornado hit, noting the destruction across a nearby field.
The town’s mayor, Eldridge Walker, faced difficulty leaving his damaged home due to downed power lines, while former mayor Fred Miller reported severe damage to his home.
The Sharkey-Issaquena Community Hospital in Rolling Fork was damaged, and emergency responders were busy addressing gas leaks and rescuing people from debris. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves urged residents to stay cautious and follow weather updates.
Elsewhere, severe weather caused additional fatalities: in southwestern Missouri, a car swept away by floods led to two drownings, and another person went missing after flash flooding.
The Storm Prediction Center had forecast severe weather across several states, with significant power outages reported in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. A suspected tornado also impacted parts of Texas, causing further damage.