JACKSON: At least 26 people were killed in Mississippi and Alabama when a tornado tore through the Southern US states.
According to ABC, search and rescue operations were underway in Sharkey and Humphreys counties, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of the state capital Jackson, the Mississippi state Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) said.
“Many people in the (Mississippi) Delta need your prayer and God’s protection tonight,” said Governor Tate Reeves on Twitter.
“We have activated medical support services surging more ambulances and other emergency resources for those affected. Search and rescue are active,” the Governor added, warning residents to “watch weather reports and remain cautious.”
ABC News reported that 13 people had died in Sharkey County, three people died in nearby Carroll County, and another two people died in Monroe County.
In the Silver City of Humphreys County, a state highway patrol trooper told ABC News that one person had died.
Rescue operation in Mississippi state
TV footage and pictures showed homes levelled and debris strewn across roads as emergency services attempted to reach those needing help.
MEMA’s Malary White said that as far as official damage numbers, they will not have that until morning, daylight time.
“Our top priority right now, especially for the local first responders, it is life safety and accounting for the people and ensuring their safety,” she told CBS News affiliate WJTV.
Tornado warnings had been issued in several counties throughout the state on Friday, but on Saturday, by 2:48 am local time (0748 GMT), the National Weather Service for Jackson city said the “tornado watch has expired across our forecast area.”
“Additional rain showers and thunderstorms are expected across our area,” the weather service said on Twitter, adding that they were “not expected to become severe.”
