ROLLING FORK, United States: At least 25 people were killed by devastating tornadoes that ripped across the southern US state of Mississippi, tearing off roofs, smashing cars and flattening entire neighbourhoods, with the region readying for more severe weather on Sunday.
The powerful weather system, accompanied by thunderstorms and driving rain, cut a path of more than 60 km across the state late on Friday, slamming several towns along the way.
Mississippi’s emergency management agency put the death toll at 25, and said dozens more were injured. Four people reported missing “have been found,” it added.
And in Alabama, one man died after being trapped when a trailer overturned in the severe weather, the sheriff’s office in Morgan County said on Twitter.
In Rolling Fork, home to fewer than 2,000 people, an entire row of houses and buildings was demolished, leaving only scattered debris. Cars were overturned, fences ripped up and trees uprooted.
President Joe Biden ordered federal aid to Mississippi on Sunday to support local recovery efforts. The funding will provide grants for temporary housing, home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, the White House said.
Some 4,800 customers were without power in Mississippi, and nearly 11,000 homes and businesses remained in the dark in neighbouring Alabama, monitor poweroutage.us reported.
Mississippi was meanwhile girding for more turbulent weather on Sunday, including damaging winds and hail, with the emergency management agency warning that “tornadoes cannot be ruled out.”
Patricia Perkins, who works at a hardware store in Rolling Fork, said that “most everything is wiped away.” — AFP
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