JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi faced the wrath of fierce storms, including a confirmed tornado, leaving a trail of destruction across the state. Nearly 500 homes suffered damage, and the forceful winds uprooted trees and snapped power lines, state authorities reported on Thursday.
Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of fatalities following the storms that swept through several counties on Wednesday night. However, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s spokesperson, Scott Simmons, confirmed that at least 17 individuals sustained injuries during the tumultuous weather.
The Wash Trailer Park in Bogue Chitto, a small community in Lincoln County, bore the brunt of the storm. Of those injured, 12 were transported from this severely damaged area.
Resident Max Mahaffey vividly recounted his experience to WAPT-TV, “I was just watching TikTok on my bed and thought it was thunder. I went to my living room. I went back to my room, and the room’s gone.”
The park was severely damaged.
“I was just watching TikTok on my bed and thought it was thunder. I went to my living room. I went back to my room, and the room’s gone,” resident Max Mahaffey told WAPT-TV.
He said he wasn’t injured, but his grandmother hurt her ankle, and some of his neighbors suffered cuts and bruises.
The National Weather Service said “a very large and dangerous tornado” moved from eastern Lincoln County into Lawrence County.
Gov. Tate Reeves said multiple tornadoes were reported throughout the central and western parts of the state and that the state Emergency Management Agency was coordinating response efforts.
“Pray for Mississippi,” he posted online.
Emergency officials in Lincoln County said the severe weather caused major damage and several injuries, but no deaths.
“Damage assessments are ongoing. There are multiple roads blocked in the county. We ask that you please refrain from sightseeing as crews are working,” the emergency management department posted early Thursday.
The county reported that at least 200 homes were damaged.
Lamar County to the southeast reported about 275 homes damaged, according to the state emergency management agency.
Another 10 to 12 homes were damaged in Lawrence County.
More storms were expected Thursday with the possibility of tornadoes across parts of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, the weather service said.
Strong storms were also possible for parts of the Carolinas and Texas.
