Violent storms and a tornado have killed at least 23 people in southern Mississippi and left a trail of destruction in their wake. Dozens of people were injured, said the local civil protection early on Saturday morning (local time). “Unfortunately, these numbers are likely to change,” the agency continued. Thousands of people were without power in the southern state.
At least one tornado swept through the state, the National Weather Service confirmed. This caused damage in the cities of Silver City and Rolling Fork, the authority wrote. According to the media, he left a trail of destruction about 130 kilometers long. There were also reports of other tornadoes in the US media, some of which came from the neighboring state of Alabama.
According to media reports, the storms in the state swept roofs off houses, uprooted trees, damaged power lines and almost leveled some parts of the city. Around 100,000 customers in Mississippi and the neighboring states of Tennessee and Alabama were without power early on Saturday morning, the website poweroutage.us reported. Numerous destroyed houses could be seen on TV pictures. There was no information about the age of the victims. Rescue and salvage workers are on duty, the civil protection said.
Citizens seek shelter from tornado in bathtub
“My city is gone. But we will be resilient and we will come back,” Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker said on US television. Complete devastation is all he sees when looking from right to left. When the storm warning came, he and his wife took cover, the mayor said. They would have stayed in the bathtub of their house to protect themselves. A resident of the city also reported to CNN that there was severe destruction. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Brandy Showah. “It was a great small town – and now it’s gone.”
Mississippi is considered the poorest state in the USA. In Rolling Fork, with its approximately 2000 inhabitants, many people live in converted caravans. According to the New York Times, the small town with its predominantly black population is below the country’s poverty line. Local media reported that a crisis center had been set up in the town. There are beds, water, sanitary facilities and medical support.
The authorities had issued warnings of a series of tornadoes in the region for Friday evening (local time). The weather service in Mississippi also warned of further showers and thunderstorms for the weekend. Gusts of wind and hail the size of a golf ball must be expected. More tornadoes are also possible.