Rescue workers examine the rubble of the pulverized city of Rolling Fork as they search for survivors after 24 tornadoes ripped through Mississippi, killing at least 23 people.
- Cleanup operation begins in Rolling Fork after city bears the brunt of tornadoes that pummeled Mississippi
- 23 people have been confirmed dead in Mississippi and one more in Alabama
- It came as authorities revealed a husband and wife were found dead in their home after winds sent a neighbor’s 18-wheeler crashing into their home.
A cleanup operation has been launched in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after the rural town bore the brunt of a trail of powerful tornadoes that tore through the southern state.
About 23 people have been confirmed dead in Mississippi and one in Alabama after 24 tornadoes ripped through the region at 80 miles per hour.
Survivors of the devastating disaster said they were “hoping and praying” as they stayed up all night to help clear the rubble.
It came as authorities revealed a husband and wife were found dead in their home after winds sent a neighbor’s 18-wheeler crashing into their home.
The rural southern towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City bore the brunt of damage from a tornado that struck the area shortly after 8 p.m. Friday.
A rescue worker is seen wading through rubble in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after the rural town was hit by tornadoes that killed 23 people.
Search and rescue teams have now been deployed to the Rolling Fork, along with ambulances.
The severe weather event produced golf ball-sized hail as it tore through several southern states.
Search and rescue teams have now been deployed to the Rolling Fork, along with ambulances.
Emergency shelters are also open and crews have come from far and wide to help, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘Just completed command briefing with our disaster response team. Devastating damage, as everyone knows.
This is a tragedy. I’m on my way to Sharkey County to be with the people who struck first.
‘We are blessed with brave, capable responders and loving neighbors. Please continue to pray.’
The Good Samaritans were photographed wearing high-visibility jackets walking through the rubble on Saturday morning.
Shanta Howard, a Rolling Fork resident, said the community had come together to help with the operation.
“Everyone is helping everyone, not just in this part of town, it’s everywhere,” he told WAPT 16.
“Everyone is helping and praying for everyone.”
She also described the horror of the attack that made her fear for her life.
‘As you can see, no one has a home here,’ he said.
A sheriff’s deputy climbs onto a windswept pile of vehicles to search for survivors or deceased.
Local residents said the community had come together to kick-start the cleanup operation.
Rolling Fork resident Shanta Howard described her devastation at having to remove bodies from homes.
‘We had to help the corpses out of the house. That’s very disturbing – to see people lose their lives in bad weather like this.
‘What was going through my head? ‘Lord, I don’t want to die. I don’t want me or the children to die.
Fellow resident Edgar O’Neil said: ‘Complete and utter devastation. Just houses, roofs torn off houses, walls torn down from houses.
“I have seen several areas where parts of the concrete, the asphalt had been lifted out of the ground. I mean, complete devastation.
Sharkey County Coroner Angelia Eason confirmed that at least 13 people had died on Rolling Fork.
He added that six bodies were recovered from a mobile home park.
Eason said a husband and wife were killed by their neighbor’s 18-wheeler that crashed into their home.