A rare, long-lived tornado left a trail of devastation in western Mississippi Friday night, killing at least 25 people, destroying buildings and leaving thousands of homes without power. At least one person died in the storms in Alabama."This is an appalling event," Mississippi Gov.
Tate Reeves said at a news conference. "It's heartbreaking.There really is no other way to describe it. It's absolutely heartbreaking.
President Biden, speaking with Reeves on Saturday, called the Mississippi photos "heartbreaking" and offered the federal government's full support in the wake of the storm."Jill and I pray for those who lost loved ones in the devastating tornadoes in Mississippi and for those whose loved ones are missing," she said.
with corrective actions."For those affected by these devastating storms, and for the first responders and rescuers working on behalf of their countrymen in America, we will do whatever we can to help," he added.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said Saturday afternoon the tornado killed 25 people and injured dozens., Officials noted local and state emergency response teams were deployed overnight and resources were available for victims affected by the devastating weather.In Alabama, the Morgan County Emergency Management Agency confirmed to NPR that at least one person in the state was killed after a trailer overturned during a tornado.
The storm left a trail of devastation behind
A tornado landed in Rolling Fork, Miss., which is about an hour's drive from of Jackson, around 8 p.m. local time, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Perrilloux.
Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker told CNN that his "city is gone."
Walker, who has been surveying the wreckage in his town, said the damage and devastation is widespread. He added that several residents have been found trapped in their homes and rushed to hospitals while emergency responders search for more survivors.
"The rescue missions are still taking place as we speak," Walker said on Saturday morning.
The twister then traveled northeast, upending neighboring towns in Silver City and Winona. The severe weather also produced golf ball-size hail.
Devastation continued in Black Hawk, a small town about 60 miles northeast of where the tornado made landfall.
Houses were destroyed, buildings collapsed and trees across the town were splintered, according to photos shared by a local resident, Chris Alford.
Alford, who lives a few miles outside of Black Hawk and frequently spends time there, visited the area on Saturday to help assess the damage. He said some residents were found trapped inside cars and that houses and cherished community landmarks, including a Baptist church and community center, were
turned into ruin.
"The area is just completely devastated," he told NPR. "People are pulling together, but they need help."
Reeves declared a state of emergency in the affected areas. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell told FOX News on Saturday afternoon that she was working with Reeves to get a federal emergency disaster declaration request written "as quickly as possible."
The National Weather Service said a severe weather threat for the area was continuing through Saturday evening, with the possibility of showers and thunderstorms into Sunday.
Experts say such a long-lasting tornado is "very rare"
In total, the tornado spanned roughly 170 miles and lasted over an hour, which Perrilloux of the NWS 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.
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