Absolute devastation unfolded Friday when a tornadoes swept through Mississippi Friday night, killing at least 26 people and leaving dozens more wounded.
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said that search and rescue teams have been deployed to assist victims impacted by the storms. They also warned that the current total of fatalities would likely rise.
Unfortunately, these numbers are expected to change.
As reported by ABC News, the reported known fatalities occurred in Sharkey, Humphreys, Carroll, and Monroe counties. 13 people perished in Sharkey County alone.
Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Saturday to all counties affected by the storms and vowed to utilize every resource to help those in need.
I have declared a State of Emergency in the Mississippi counties impacted by last night’s severe storms including tornadoes.
We will marshal every available resource on behalf of our neighbors in need. We’re here for the long haul. pic.twitter.com/yPENOSfZwr
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 25, 2023
WTVA chief meteorologist Matt Laubhan warned residents of Amory, Mississippi and prayed live on air Friday night as a tornado approached.
Oh man, it’s coming…Dear Jesus, please help them.
Heaven’s Meteorologist
“oh man it’s coming in… Dear Jesus, please help them.”
Calls on God as a devastating tornado head straight for the town of Amoy, Mississippi, pic.twitter.com/QGMQzNOR1h
— 🇺🇸RealRobert🇺🇸 (@Real_RobN) March 25, 2023
The National Weather Service reported that one massive tornado was reported near the area of Silver City and Rolling Fork around 8:50 Central Time. The network issued an emergency alert with the following words: “To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW!”
Rolling Fork and Silver City reported severe damage. Here are photos of the devastation in Rolling Fork.
Here is Silver City after the tornado.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the damage in Rolling Fork was so massive that multiple storm chasers pleaded for search and rescue help immediately. More abandoned the storm chase to drive injured people to the hospitals themselves.
One storm chaser, Zachary Hall, managed to capture ominous footage of the tornado in Rolling Fork and vowed he would never forget what he experienced.
Video and a still image of the Rolling Forks, Mississippi tornado.
This was a violent tornado and we will never forget some of the things we’ve experienced on this night. @wx_Frankie pic.twitter.com/aMovy36qyo
— Zachary Hall (@WxZachary) March 25, 2023
My final view of the Rolling Fork, Mississippi #tornado before it moved into town.
Low quality screengrab from a video.
I’m telling you, this tornado had a roar like I’ve never heard. Intense, scary tornado that inflicted major damage. @wx_Frankie pic.twitter.com/iI3lwFbIQK
— Zachary Hall (@WxZachary) March 25, 2023
One resident of Rolling Fork, Wonder Bolden, stood outside her mother’s destroyed mobile home and told the AP there was nothing left of the town.
There’s nothing left. There’s just the breeze that’s running, going through — just nothing.
Royce Steed, the emergency manager in Humphreys County, where Silver City is located, said the damage to the town was so severe it was all but gone.
It is almost complete devastation. This little old town, I don’t know what the population is, it is more or less wiped off the map.
Joe Biden expressed his condolences and pledged his full support to the people of Mississippi.
Jill and I are praying for those who have lost loved ones in the devastating tornadoes in Mississippi and those whose loved ones are missing.
I spoke with @tatereeves, @SenatorWicker, @SenHydeSmith, and @BennieGThompson to express my condolences and offer full federal support.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 25, 2023
I also spoke to @FEMA_Deanne, who has already deployed emergency response personnel and resources to support search-and-rescue and assess the damage.
We will do everything we can to help. We will work together to deliver the support you need to recover, for as long as it takes.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 25, 2023