A deadly tornado ripped through Mississippi on 24-03-2023, Friday night, reporting to have taken the lives of at least 23 people and dozens of people injured.
The aftermath of the disaster has left many buildings destroyed, with possibility that several people may still be trapped beneath the debris.
Numerous rural towns were left devastated by the tornado, with uprooted trees and power lines, leading to tens of thousands of reported power outages. The destructive force of the twister caused widespread damage throughout the affected areas.
In addition to Mississippi, several other southern states are also preparing for the impact of powerful storms. There have been reports of hail, some as large as golf balls, and heavy rainfall in various areas of the state.
The exact number of tornadoes that struck the area remains unknown. While the National Weather Service had issued warnings of multiple twisters expected, it’s now speculated that the destruction may have been caused by a “skipping tornado”.
This type of tornado is known to lift off the ground and touch down repeatedly, making it difficult to determine the exact number of tornadoes that hit the area.
Reports from Rolling Fork, a small town located in western Mississippi, suggest that the tornado was very powerful, as it blew out windows at the back of residents’ homes.
The area has experienced significant damage, with Rolling Fork appearing to have been hit particularly hard by the twister.
Local resident Brandy Showah told CNN: “I’ve never seen anything like this… This was a very great small town, and now it’s gone.”
According to Cornel Knight, who spoke to the Associated Press, he and his family were visiting relatives in Rolling Fork when the tornado hit. Knight described the moments just before the twister struck as “eerily quiet”.
He went on to say that while the sky was dark, they could see the direction of the tornado from the numerous transformers that were blowing out in the area.
Knight also reported that the tornado had hit another house belonging to their relatives, causing a wall to collapse and trapping several individuals under the debris.
In addition to this, there were reports of people being trapped under piles of rubble. As of now, there are also unconfirmed reports of missing law enforcement units in Sharkey county.
Sam Emmerson, a meteorologist at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Meteorology, stated that the tornado that hit the affected areas was of “extremely high-caliber”. He went on to explain that the twister had such force that it lifted debris to a height of over 30,000 feet (9144 meters).
A local weather forecaster expressed concern about the strength of an approaching tornado, which was set to hit the town of Amery. During his TV forecast, he briefly paused to offer a prayer for the safety of the town’s residents, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Mississippi’s governor, Tate Reeves, said on Twitter that search and rescue teams were providing medical support to those affected.
Mr. Reeves wrote “Many in the MS [Mississippi] Delta need your prayer and God’s protection tonight. Watch weather reports and stay cautious through the night, Mississippi!”
Mississippi woke up to the aftermath of the devastating tornado on Saturday morning. The National Weather Service confirmed that clean-up efforts were already underway but urged people to stay clear of damaged power lines and avoid entering damaged buildings or walking through floodwaters. Safety precautions remain a top priority as the affected communities begin to rebuild and recover from the destructive storm.