At least seven are killed as huge mile-wide tornado rips through Mississippi
At least seven dead as a massive one-mile tornado rips through the Mississippi city, razing homes to the ground, while dozens of people become trapped under the rubble.
- At least seven people have died after a tornado swept through Mississippi
- The powerful twister tore through the state Friday night
- The devastation has prompted authorities to warn those in its path are in a ‘life-threatening situation’
At least seven people have died after a tornado swept through numerous Mississippi counties, leaving a trail of destruction across the state.
The powerful tornado swept through the region Friday night, causing widespread damage, including knocking down power lines that left thousands in the dark.
More than 30 million people will receive a tornado warning all evening, warning to brace for 130 mph storms that bring golf ball-sized hail. The devastation has prompted authorities to warn those in its path are in a “life-threatening situation.”
The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornado touched down in the rural towns of Silver City and Rolling Fork, which reported severe destruction as the tornado raced at about 70 mph.
At least seven people have died after a tornado swept through numerous Mississippi counties
The tornado has left a trail of at least 100 miles and is reportedly headed toward Alabama. More than 49,000 customers had power outages Friday night in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, according to PowerOutage.us.
The National Weather Service issued an urgent alert after the tornado touched down, warning, “Take cover now to protect your life.”
“You are in a life-threatening situation,” it warned. “Flying debris can kill those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Significant damage to homes, businesses and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible.”
Mississippi resident Corney Knight told the Associated Press that he, his wife and their 3-year-old daughter were at a relative’s house when the tornado hit, which he described as “eerie quiet” moments before.
He added that the sky was dark, but “you could see the direction of every transformer that blew.”
More than half a dozen emergency shelters have been set up across Mississippi after the storm swept through homes and businesses.
Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker told me WLBT TV the tornado prevented him from leaving his home after it caused significant damage and downed power lines to his property.
“The western part of Rolling Fork is a residential area and only a few homes there have been completely destroyed,” former Rolling Fork mayor Fred Miller added.
Highway 61, where most of our businesses are, all businesses on 61 are completely destroyed. People are trapped in some eateries and people are trying to get them out now.”
The tornado came after several states in the Midwest were battered by a severe weather front, with nearly four inches of rain washing out southern Missouri Thursday night.
Reports indicate that a suspected tornado also touched down in northern Texas early Friday, damaging homes and knocking down trees and power lines.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards warned of possible tornadoes reaching the state over the weekend while urging residents to prepare for significant damage.
As the tornado continued to wreak havoc across the state, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said in a tweet, “Many in the MS Delta need your prayers and God’s protection tonight.”