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Tornado kills at least 23 as it tears through southern US states during ‘supercell’ storms
Severe storms hit southern US states on Friday, producing hail the size of golf balls and causing fatal injuries.
Saturday 25 March 2023 16:29, UK
Rolling Fork Tornado Damage0:40
Play Video – Deadly tornado causes widespread destruction
Dozens of people have died after a powerful tornado hit
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At least 23 people have died after a powerful tornado ripped through several southern US states, destroying buildings and knocking out power.
Severe storms hit Mississippi, Alabama and Texas on Friday, producing hail the size of golf balls and prompting authorities to warn residents they were in a “life-threatening situation”.
The National Weather Service issued an alert to people in the path of the tornado and said: “To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW!”
“You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter… Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible.”
The tornado caused destruction in the rural Mississippi towns of Silver City and Rolling Fork on Friday night before continuing sweeping northeast towards Alabama at 70mph.
Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker told CNN that his town was essentially wiped out.
Video shot as daylight broke showed houses reduced to piles of rubble, cars flipped on their sides and trees stripped of their branches. Occasionally, in the midst of the wreckage, a home would be spared, seemingly undamaged.
“My city is gone. But we are resilient and we are going to come back strong,” he said.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said in a Twitter post that search and rescue teams from local and state agencies were deployed to help victims impacted by the tornadoes.
The agency confirmed early on Saturday that 23 people had died, four were missing and dozens were injured.
A few minutes later, the agency tweeted: “Unfortunately, these numbers are expected to change.”
In Texas, two tornadoes with 100mph winds struck around 5am on Friday, leaving five people injured.
A resident looks through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable at a tornado demolished mobile home park in Rolling Fork, Miss. March 25, 2023. Emergency officials in Mississippi say several people have been killed by tornadoes that tore through the state on Friday night, destroying buildings and knocking out power as severe weather produced hail the size of golf balls moved through several southern states. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)0:50
Play Video – ‘It’s really bad’ – Residents hit by tornado
‘It’s really bad’ – Residents hit by tornado
Mississippi governor Tate Reeves said on Twitter that search and rescue teams were active and officials were sending more ambulances and emergency resources to those affected.
Shelters were opened for those whose homes were damaged by the storm.
In Rolling Fork town, people were trapped in piles of rubble and damage had caused gas leaks, local newspaper Vicksburg News reported the Sharkey County Sheriff’s Office as saying.
A tornado touched down on Friday in Texas. Grab from NBC News
Image:
The aftermath of the tornado in Texas. Pic: NBC News
A tornado touched down on Friday in Texas
Image:
A Texas resident clears up after a tornado hit. Pic: NBC News
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The storm was a “supercell”, which brews the deadliest tornadoes and most damaging hail, said University of Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Walker Ashley.
Friday’s storm was a night time, wet one which is “the worst kind”, he said.
WTVA meteorologist Matt Laubhan was overwhelmed as major tornado hits Amory, Mississippi.0:19
Play Video – ‘Dear Jesus, please help them’
WTVA meteorologist Matt Laubhan was overwhelmed as tornado hit
Earlier on Friday a car was swept away and two passengers drowned in Missouri during torrential rain that was part of a severe weather system.
By early Saturday, tornado watches remained in parts of eastern Mississippi and in northern Alabama, according to the weather service. Earlier, those watches covered almost all of Mississippi.
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