At least 23 people have died and dozens more are injured or missing after a powerful tornado swept through the towns of Silver City and Rolling Fork in Mississippi last night. Rolling Fork, located in Sharkey County, was described as "obliterated" by local officials.
The devastating tornado was part of a series of 11 reported across Mississippi and Alabama over the last 24 hours. As a result, massive power outages have been reported in the affected states, with more than 100,000 homes and businesses losing power, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves took to Twitter to express his condolences, saying, “The loss will be felt in these towns forever. Please pray for God’s hand to be over all who lost family and friends.” Meanwhile, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency released a statement saying, “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.”
First responders were able to rescue seven people who were trapped at a group home as trees and power lines collapsed on homes. The sheriff’s office also responded to an overturned trailer and an overturned camper with persons trapped inside.
This latest tornado has added to the already devastating number of tornado-related deaths in the US this year. According to reports, 278 Americans have died from tornadoes in 2023 alone.
The impact of the tornado will undoubtedly be felt in the affected towns for years to come. The loss of life and destruction of property serves as a reminder of the immense power of nature and the importance of being prepared for severe weather events.