At least 25 people are dead after a severe tornado storm hit Mississippi over the weekend.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency made the announcement on Saturday morning that 23 people were dead and four people were missing. As of Saturday afternoon at 3:50 p.m., the death toll has since increased to 25, and the missing people have been accounted for.
TERRIFYING MOMENT LA METEOROLOGIST COLLAPSES ON-AIR DURING WEATHER REPORT
“We have numerous local and state search and rescue teams that continue to work this morning,” the agency wrote on social media. “A number of assets are on the ground to assist those that have been impacted.”
Morning Update as of 6:20am:
We can confirm 23 dead, dozens injured, 4 missing due to last night’s tornadoes. We have numerous local and state search and rescue teams that continue to work this morning. A number of assets are on the ground to assist those that have been impacted— msema (@MSEMA) March 25, 2023
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) took to social media on Saturday morning to share his sorrow regarding the storm’s victims, adding that search and rescue teams are still active.
“The loss will be felt in these towns forever,” Tate wrote. “Please pray for God’s hand to be over all who lost family and friends.”
At least twenty three Mississippians were killed by last night’s violent tornados. We know that many more are injured. Search and rescue teams are still active.
The loss will be felt in these towns forever. Please pray for God’s hand to be over all who lost family and friends.
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 25, 2023
President Joe Biden released a statement on the Mississippi storm damage on Saturday afternoon, saying the photos of the damage cause by the storm are “heartbreaking.”
“Today, I reached out to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, and have spoken to Senator Wicker, Senator Hyde-Smith, and Congressman Bennie Thompson to express my condolences and offer full federal support as communities recover from the effects of this storm,” Biden’s statement read. “I also spoke to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who has already deployed emergency response personnel and resources to support search-and-rescue teams, assess the damage, and focus our federal support where it is needed most quickly.”
Reeves announced at 10:16 a.m. that he was on his way to visit Sharkey County “to be with the people first hit.” He also declared early Saturday afternoon a State of Emergency in the counties impacted by the storms.
Just completed command briefing with our disaster response team. Devastating damage—as everyone knows. This is a tragedy. I am on my way to Sharkey County to be with the people first hit. We are blessed with brave, capable responders and loving neighbors. Please continue to pray.
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 25, 2023
Emergency officials in Mississippi say several people have been killed by tornadoes that tore through the state on Friday night, destroying buildings and knocking out power as severe weather produced hail the size of golf balls moved through several southern states. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
At 12:15 p.m., the Mississippi Department of Public Safety announced it is partnering with the state’s Emergency Management Agency and the state’s Department of Agriculture to accept donations of bottled water, canned goods and paper products for the victims of the storm. The supplies will be accepted at the Armory at the fairgrounds in Jackson, Mississippi, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
.@MissDPS is partnering with @MSEMA & @MSDeptofAg to accept donations of bottled water, canned goods & paper products for the victims of the storms that struck our state last night.
We will be accepting these at the Armory at the @msfairgrounds from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. today. pic.twitter.com/c7z79PWApd
— MS DPS (@MissDPS) March 25, 2023
Amory Mayor Cory Glenn said on Saturday that everyone in the city has “thus far” been accounted for, according to Fox News.
“A devastating storm, but we’re resilient people, and we’ll overcome,” Glenn said.
A tornado has touched down in Silver City, MS, in Humphreys County. Highway 49W is congested at this time with emergency crews. Please use an alternate route if possible. pic.twitter.com/npfYxnMGSN
— MHP Greenwood (@MHPTroopD) March 25, 2023
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Both Amory’s Police and Fire Departments have warned residents the city’s Water Department suffered a direct hit from the tornado on Friday and that residents should boil their own water until the departments give the all-clear. A temporary curfew from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m. has also been set, with both the police and fire departments asking residents to stay off the streets unless they are a first responder.
“ALSO, please consider any downed power lines as active or live and avoid them!” A statement on the Amory Fire Department’s page read. “Please remain off of the roads so that first responders can perform their jobs!”
