Powerful storms that included at least three confirmed tornadoes tore through parts of Mississippi, damaging nearly 500 homes, tearing up trees and downing power lines, authorities said on Thursday.
There were no immediate reports of deaths from the storms that struck several counties on Wednesday night. At least 17 people were injured, according to Scott Simmons, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. He said 12 of those hurt were transported from the Wash Trailer Park in the small community of Bogue Chitto, in Lincoln county. The park was severely damaged.
Resident Max Mahaffey told WAPT-TV: "I was just watching TikTok on my bed and thought it was thunder. I went to my living room. I went back to my room, and the room's gone." He said he was not injured, but his grandmother hurt her ankle and some of his neighbors suffered cuts and bruises.
Multiple Tornadoes Confirmed
Daniel Lamb, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Jackson, said: "We know there were at least three tornadoes. The same storm produced at least two tornadoes from Franklin, Lincoln into Lawrence counties, and then there was another one from Lamar possibly into Forest County." He noted that there may have been more, adding that these were the ones confirmed by radar before ground surveys.
Governor Tate Reeves said multiple tornadoes were reported throughout the central and western parts of the state and that the state Emergency Management Agency was coordinating response efforts. "Pray for Mississippi," he posted online.
Damage Assessments Underway
Emergency officials in Lincoln county said the severe weather caused major damage and several injuries, but no deaths. The emergency management department posted early on Thursday: "Damage assessments are ongoing, there are multiple roads blocked in the county we ask that you please refrain from sightseeing as crews are working."
The governor said a volunteer rescue group was providing a 50-person shelter pod, a high-powered generator and 10 pallets of supplies to the county, which reported at least 200 damaged homes. Lamar county to the south-east reported about 275 homes damaged, according to the state emergency management agency. Another 10 to 12 homes were damaged in Lawrence county.
More storms were expected Thursday with the possibility of tornadoes across parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, the weather service said. Strong storms also were possible for parts of the Carolinas and Texas.
