A severe weather outbreak across several southern states Friday evening and Saturday morning produced at least one deadly tornado in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency tweeted early Saturday that at least 23 people were confirmed to be dead and dozens more were injured after the storm tore across the state Friday evening, damaging buildings and knocking out power for tens of thousands of residents.
“We can confirm 23 dead, dozens injured, four missing due to last night’s tornadoes,” it said. “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.”
Those numbers are expected to rise. “At least twenty-three Mississippians were killed by last night’s violent tornados. We know that many more are injured. Search and rescue teams are still active,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves tweeted Saturday. “The loss will be felt in these towns forever. Please pray for God’s hand to be over all who lost family and friends.”
The governor said on Twitter Friday night that officials were sending more ambulances and emergency assets to those affected. Authorities looked for a woman who was missing following flash flooding after a small river washed a car off the road.
Amory Mayor Cory Glenn told “Fox & Friends Weekend” early Saturday that everyone there had been accounted for “thus far,” but noted the extent of the devastation in his community. “A devastating storm, but we’re resilient people and we’ll overcome,” he said.
