ROLLING FORK: Governor of storm-battered Mississippi has warned that more severe weather could be on its way to the US state following the tornadoes which killed 26 people.
Governor Tate Reeves said significant risks persisted in parts of the Mississippi.
Hundreds of people have been displaced in the wake of the deadliest storm in the state in more than a decade that tore through Mississippi and Alabama on Friday night.
At least 25 people have died in Mississippi, with one person confirmed dead in neighbouring Alabama.
The mayor of one of the most severely affected towns said his personal friends also died in the disaster.
The tornado – classified as “violent” and given the second-highest rating possible – uprooted trees, overturned trucks into houses and brought down power lines.
Volunteers, some coming from neighbouring states Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee, have been assisting in the clean-up operation.
State of emergency declared in Mississippi
A state of emergency has been declared by President Joe Biden who has deployed federal resources to assist the rescue and response in some of the worst-hit towns.
Crews are busy removing broken trees that are pinning down power lines, after thousands of people lost power during the storm.
Stations have been set up for people to collect water and sandwiches.
But as local communities grapple with the response, there are warnings of more severe storms to come.
Speaking at a news conference in the western town of Rolling Fork, Governor Reeves said: “What we have seen, much like the storm that occurred Friday night, is in the 24-36 hours that are leading up to this afternoon, it appears that the risks seem to be getting worse and worse, not better.
“And when you stand here and see this, what feels like a beautiful weather day in Mississippi, please be aware and please know: if you are south of I-55 in Mississippi today there are significant risks. We are prepared.”
The governor said it was “heartbreaking” to see the loss and devastation caused by the tornado, but added he was “damn proud to be a Mississippian” after seeing how locals responded to the disaster.
