Mississippi tornado prompts fear of further storms.
Mississippi’s governor, Tate Reeves, has cautioned that additional severe weather may be imminent for the state, following the deadly tornadoes that claimed 26 lives. He stated that several areas of the state were still at considerable risk. On Friday evening, the tornadoes tore through Mississippi and Alabama, leaving hundreds of people homeless.
One of the towns hit hard by the tornadoes reported that the mayor had lost personal friends in the disaster. The Friday tornado was the deadliest to hit Mississippi in over a decade, killing at least 25 people, with one confirmed fatality in neighboring Alabama.
The tornado, rated as “violent” and given the second-highest rating possible, caused uprooted trees, overturned trucks into houses, and downed power lines. Over 36,000 people were still without power as of Monday morning in one of the country’s poorest regions. Survivors of the disaster were seen walking around in shock on Saturday, while Sunday was a busy day for recovery efforts.
Volunteers from nearby Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee are assisting with the cleanup efforts. Some have arrived to help from neighboring states. President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency and dispatched federal resources to aid in the rescue and response efforts in the hardest-hit communities.
The extent of the destruction is overwhelming, making it challenging to determine where to start. The removal of fallen trees that are trapping power lines is being prioritized, as the storm left thousands without electricity on Friday. Some stations have been established near the few remaining partially intact structures, offering water and sandwiches to those affected.
But while local communities are grappling with the response, there are warnings of further severe storms to come.
Speaking at a news conference convened in the western town of Rolling Fork, Governor Reeves said: “What we’ve seen, much like the storm that occurred Friday night, is in the 24-36 hours that are leading up to this afternoon, it appears that the risks seem to be getting worse and worse, not better.
“And when you stand here and see this, what feels like a beautiful weather day in Mississippi, please be aware and please know: if you are south of I-55 in Mississippi today there are significant risks. We are prepared.”
The governor said it had been “heart-breaking” to see the loss and devastation caused by the twister, but said he was “damn proud to be a Mississippian” after seeing how locals had responded.
“Because Mississippians have done what Mississippians do,” he said. “In times of tragedy, in times of crisis, they stand up and they show up, and they’re here to help themselves, help their neighbors.”
In the town of Rolling Fork, where about one-fifth of the population lives below the poverty line, the extent of the devastation is still difficult to comprehend.
As you approach the town from the south, you can clearly see the tornado’s path. A straight line of trees have been stripped of their branches and uprooted, while others to either side are untouched.
Debris is strewn across the acres of farmland that surround the town, where parts of buildings and vehicles were deposited.
Mayor Eldridge Walker, also speaking at Sunday’s news conference, said the town would come back “bigger and better than ever before” to rounds of applause from those who gathered.
“I’m not only just the mayor of this community, but I’ve lost personal friends,” he said.
“I’m also the local funeral director – now I’m having to meet those who have lost loved ones and help them make it through.”
US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas visited Rolling Fork, where he pledged to help rebuild stronger buildings.
Mr Mayorkas said the stronger buildings would prevent the same tragedy happening again as severe weather events increase in frequency and gravity.
He earlier pledged to help the people of Mississippi, “not just today but for the long haul”.
“It is inspiring to see the people of Mississippi come together… and the people of this country come together to assist those in dire need,” he said.
Soon after he spoke a lightning storm put a pause on the recovery operation.
More than 20 million Americans are under threat of severe storms on Monday.
The impact of climate change on the frequency of storms is still unclear, but we know that increased sea surface temperatures warm the air above and make more energy available to drive hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons.
As a result, they are likely to be more intense with more extreme rainfall.