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.”
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A tornado landed in Rolling Fork, which is about an hour’s drive from of Jackson, Miss., around 8 p.m. local time, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Perrilloux.
The twister traveled northeast, upending neighboring towns in Silver City, Black Hawk and Winona. The severe weather also produced golf ball-size hail.
In total, the tornado spanned roughly 170 miles and lasted over an hour, which Perrilloux described as “very rare.”
“This is one of the more rare tornadoes that we’ve seen in recorded Mississippi history given its longevity and strength over a period of time,” he told NPR.
At least one other, weaker tornado may have hit Mississippi but it has not been confirmed, according to Perrilloux.
On Saturday morning, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said search and rescue operations are continuing.
“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.”
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At least 13 people have died in Sharkey County, where Rolling Fork is located, 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.
In a Facebook live video, Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper Jose Watson also confirmed another death in Silver City.
As of Saturday morning, more than 81,000 customers had lost power in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, according to PowerOutage.us.
Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker told WJTV that the tornado caused widespread damage, especially in homes, and a main priority was to rescue those injured by the wreckage.
“There is a lot of damage that has taken place,” Walker said. “We still have folks who are trapped in their homes, and we’re out now trying to get them out and get them to the hospital.”
In Alabama, residents in Hamilton in Marion County reported roof damage, downed trees and powerlines, according to Al.com.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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