On Friday night, a strong tornado caused injuries, widespread damage, and downed power lines as severe weather that produced hail the size of golf balls moved through several southern states including Mississippi.
The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornado caused damage about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northeast of Jackson, Mississippi, while rural towns such as Silver City and Rolling Fork were reporting destruction as the tornado continued moving through towns including Tchula and Winona into the night.
Cornel Knight, who was at a relative’s home in Rolling Fork with his wife and their 3-year-old daughter, witnessed the tornado. He described the sky as dark, but he could see the direction from every transformer that blew. As that happened, it was eerily quiet. Knight watched from a doorway until the tornado was less than a mile away. Then he told everyone in the house to take cover in a hallway.
WLBT-TV interviewed Rolling Fork mayor Eldridge Walker, who stated that he couldn’t leave his damaged home immediately after the tornado struck because power lines had fallen. He added that emergency responders were attempting to transport injured individuals to hospitals, but he didn’t know how many had been hurt. Fred Miller, a former mayor of Rolling Fork, informed the television station that the tornado had blown out the windows at the back of his house.
Storm chaser Reed Timmer tweeted that emergency personnel were urgently required in Rolling Fork and that he was transporting injured residents of the town to a hospital in Vicksburg.
WAPT reported that the Sharkey-Issaquena Community Hospital on the west side of Rolling Fork had suffered damage. The Vicksburg News reported that the Sharkey County Sheriff’s Office in Rolling Fork had stated that there were gas leaks and individuals trapped in piles of rubble
Statement from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves stated in a Twitter post on Friday night that search and rescue teams were actively working, and officials were sending more ambulances and emergency assets to assist those affected.
The post said, “Many in the MS Delta need your prayer and God’s protection tonight. Watch weather reports and stay cautious through the night, Mississippi!” Earlier on Friday, torrential rains swept away a car in southwestern Missouri, resulting in the drowning of two passengers. Authorities reported that six young adults were in the vehicle that tried to cross a bridge over a flooded creek in the town of Grovespring.
Emergency officials opened more than a half-dozen shelters in the state.
On Thursday night and into Friday morning, severe weather hit several areas, with parts of southern Missouri receiving nearly 3 inches (8 centimeters) of rain. Additionally, a suspected tornado touched down early Friday in north Texas.
The Storm Prediction Center warned that portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee would be at the greatest risk of tornadoes. They forecasted storms with damaging winds and hail from eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma into parts of southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois.
As of Friday night, poweroutage.us reported that more than 49,000 customers had lost power in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
The National Weather Service reported that the risk of personal vulnerability increases with overnight severe weather because residents are less likely to receive warnings as they are asleep, and tornadoes are more challenging to spot.
