On Saturday, Mississippi officials confirmed 23 deaths and dozens of injuries after thunderstorms caused catastrophic straight-line winds and tornadoes that left hundreds without shelter late Friday.
The storms damaged over 100 miles and left four persons missing (161 km). Silver City, a 200-person village in western Mississippi, and Rolling Fork, a 1,700-person town, were severely impacted by tornadoes. Tornado warnings continue in certain areas.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves tweeted that yesterday night’s powerful tornadoes killed at least 23 Mississippians. “Many more are hurt. Search-and-rescue crews continue. These towns will always mourn.”
“Till such time as this threat to public safety should stop,” Reeves announced a state of emergency in the impacted areas. “The enormity of the devastation and loss is clear everywhere affected today,” Reeves said after visiting Silver City, requesting a major disaster designation.
President Joseph Biden characterized the photos from Mississippi as “heartbreaking.” He said he had talked with Reeves and offered his sympathies and full government help for the recovery.
“To those devastated by these tragic storms, and to the first responders and emergency professionals laboring to help their fellow Americans, we will do all we can to help,” Biden said. “We will be there as long as it takes. We will work together to give the help you need to recover.”
FEMA director Deanne Criswell told CNN she would visit Mississippi on Sunday. Criswell promised to promptly declare the tornado areas a major disaster for full government funding now and in the future.
She stated that FEMA was already there, and the American Red Cross was building shelters.
Silver City and Rolling Fork, search and rescue crews searched the wreckage for survivors.
“My city is gone, but we are resilient,” Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker told CNN. “We will return strong.”
Walker said rescue attempts were underway for many persons trapped in their homes.
Twelve Rolling Fork residents perished. Trees, homes, and cars were uprooted on TV. Several places were without power.
Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams told CNN that “this community has been demolished like a bomb hit it.”
Williams reported three county fatalities but no missing individuals.
