A rare, long-track tornado left a trail of devastation across western Mississippi on Friday night — killing at least 23 people, tearing buildings and leaving thousands of homes without power.
“We can confirm 23 dead, dozens injured, 4 missing due to last night’s tornadoes,” the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said Saturday morning. “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.”
Biden calls Mississippi tornado damage ‘heartbreaking‘
President Joe Biden said he has reached out to Gov. Tate Reeves and spoken with FEMA and local authorities to offer federal support in recovery efforts.
“The images from across Mississippi are heartbreaking,” he said in a statement. “While we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we know that many of our fellow Americans are not only grieving for family and friends, they’ve lost their homes and businesses.”
On Saturday morning, Reeves said search and rescue operations are continuing across the state. He said he plans to visit Sharkey County, where Rolling Fork is located, later on Saturday to “be with the people first hit.”
“The loss will be felt in these towns forever,” he said. “Please pray for God’s hand to be over all who lost family and friends.”
At least 13 people have died in Sharkey County, the Associated Press reported. Five more people were killed in Carroll County and Monroe County, which are northeast of Rolling Fork, according to ABC News.
