At least seven are killed as a massive, mile-wide tornado rips through Mississippi town razing homes to the ground with dozens trapped under rubble, as 30 MILLION are warned to brace for 135mph storms and ice-sized hail Golf ball.
- At least seven people have died after a tornado ripped through Mississippi
- The powerful tornado tore through the state Friday night.
- The devastation has prompted authorities to warn that those in its path are in a “life-threatening situation.”
At least seven people have died after a tornado tore through numerous Mississippi counties, leaving a trail of destruction across the state.
The powerful tornado tore through the region Friday night, causing widespread damage, including downing power lines that have left thousands in the dark.
More than 30 million people are under a tornado warning overnight, being warned to prepare for 135 mph storms that will bring golf ball-sized hail. The devastation has prompted authorities to warn that those in its path are in a “life-threatening situation.”
The National Weather Service has confirmed that the tornado touched down in the rural towns of Silver City and Rolling Fork, which have reported severe destruction as the tornado moved at approximately 70 mph.
At least seven people have died after a tornado ripped through numerous Mississippi counties
The tornado has left a trail of damage at least 100 miles long and is reportedly heading towards Alabama. More than 49,000 customers had lost power in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee as of Friday night, according to poweroutage.us.
The National Weather Service issued an urgent alert after the tornado touched down, warning, “To protect your life, take cover now.”
“You are in a situation that endangers your life,” he warned. ‘Flying debris can be deadly for those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses and vehicles is likely, and total destruction is possible.’
Mississippi resident Corney Knight told the Associated Press that he, his wife and their 3-year-old daughter were at a relative’s home when the tornado struck, which he described as “eerily quiet” moments before.
He added that the sky was dark but “you could see the direction of every exploding transformer.”
More than half a dozen emergency shelters have been set up across Mississippi after the tornado leveled homes and businesses.
Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker said WLBT-TV the tornado left him unable to leave his home after it caused significant damage and downed power lines leading to his property.
“The west side of Rolling Fork is a residential area, and only a few houses have been completely destroyed,” added former Rolling Fork Mayor Fred Miller.
‘Highway 61, where most of our businesses are, all the businesses on 61 have been completely destroyed. People are stuck in a couple of restaurants, and people are trying to get them out now.
Severe damage has been reported in the town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after the tornado leveled homes and businesses.
The tornado came after several Midwestern states were hit by a severe weather front, with southern Missouri drenched in nearly three inches of rain Thursday night.
Reports indicate that a suspected tornado also touched down early Friday in North Texas, damaging homes and downing trees and power lines.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards warned of possible tornadoes hitting the state over the weekend, urging residents to prepare for significant damage.
As the tornado continued to wreak havoc in the state, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said in a tweet: “Many in MS Delta need your prayers and God’s protection tonight.”
