(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated with new details March 27.)
Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief officials are currently assessing damage in Amory, Winona, Silver City and Rolling Fork — four areas devastated by the March 24 band of tornadoes that stomped through several southern states. At least 26 deaths and dozens of injuries have been reported.
Power outages, people trapped in their homes and gas leaks also are being reported. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has declared an emergency in the state, and FEMA is reportedly assessing where best to help provide needed resources. Aerial footage of some of the damage shows houses completely ripped from their foundations.
“Last night’s severe weather has hit us hard with 23 confirmed fatalities and several people missing,” Mississippi Baptist DR director Hubert Yates and his team shared with The Baptist Paper.
Along with onsite assessments, DR officials are touching base with associational leaders and area pastors. On Sunday (March 26), heavy winds and hail were reported in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Sunday.
‘Wiped off the map’
Meanwhile in Mississippi, entire communities were destroyed.
“It is almost complete devastation,” Royce Steed, the emergency manager in Humphreys County, said of Silver City, USA Today reported. “This little old town … is more or less wiped off the map.”
To watch drone footage of the damage in Silver City (on Twitter) from the Weather Channel, click here.
