Rescuers sift through debris in the pulverized town of Rolling Fork after 24 tornadoes hit Mississippi
Rescuers sift through debris in the pulverized town of Rolling Fork as they search for survivors after 24 tornadoes hit Mississippi and killed at least 23
- Cleanup operation begins in Rolling Fork after the city bears the brunt of tornadoes that pulverized Mississippi
- 23 people have been confirmed dead in Mississippi and another in Alabama
- It came as authorities revealed a husband and wife were found dead in their home after winds sent a neighbour’s 18-wheeler truck slamming into their home.
A cleanup operation has begun in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after the rural town came under the brunt of a trail of powerful tornadoes that tore through the southern state.
Some 23 people have been confirmed dead in Mississippi and one in Alabama after 24 tornadoes hit the area at 80 miles per hour.
Survivors of the devastating disaster said they were ‘hoping and praying’ as they stayed up all night to help clean up the debris.
It came as authorities revealed a husband and wife were found dead in their home after winds sent a neighbour’s 18-wheeler truck crashing into their home.
The rural southern towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City suffered the brunt of the damage from a tornado that hit the area just after 8 p.m. Friday.
A lifeguard is seen wading through debris in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after the rural town was battered by tornadoes that left 23 dead
Search and rescue teams have now been deployed to Rolling Fork, along with ambulances
The severe weather event produced golf ball-sized hail as it swept through several southern states
Search and rescue teams have now been deployed to Rolling Fork, along with ambulances.
Emergency shelters are also open and teams have come from all over to help, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said.
He wrote on Twitter: “Just completed command briefing with our disaster response team. Devastating damage as everyone knows.
‘It’s a tragedy. I’m on my way to Sharkey County to be with the first touchdowns.
“We are fortunate to have courageous and capable responders and loving neighbors. Please continue to pray.
Good Samaritans were pictured in high-visibility jackets wading through the debris on Saturday morning.
Rolling Fork resident Shanta Howard said the community has stepped up to help with the operation.
“Everyone helps everyone, not just this part of town – it’s everywhere,” she told WAPT 16.
“Everyone help and pray for everyone.”
She also described the horror of the attack which left her in fear for her life.
“As you can see, nobody has a home here,” she said.
A sheriff’s deputy climbs over a pile of windswept vehicles to search for survivors or the deceased
Local residents said the community rallied to kick off the cleanup operation
Rolling Fork resident Shanta Howard described her devastation at having to drag dead bodies out of homes
“We had to help the corpses out of the house. It’s very disturbing – in fact, to see people losing their lives to bad weather like this.
‘What went through my mind? “Lord, I don’t want to die. I don’t want me or the kids to die.
Another resident, Edgar O’Neil, said: ‘Complete and utter devastation. Just houses, roofs torn off, walls of houses knocked down.
“I saw several areas where parts of the concrete, asphalt had been lifted off the ground. I mean, total devastation.
Sharkey County Coroner Angelia Eason confirmed that at least 13 people were killed in Rolling Fork.
She added that six bodies were found in a mobile home park.
Eason said a husband and wife were killed when their neighbor’s 18-wheeler truck crashed into their home.
dailymail us
