Mississippi tornado leaves at least 23 dead as horror 135mph twister obliterates town in 100-mile trail of destruction
AT LEAST 23 people have been killed after a deadly tornado ripped through Mississippi – leaving a 100-mile trail of destruction in its path.
The powerful twister caused widespread damage in Silver City and Rolling Fork, Mississippi,- downing powerlines and leaving residents trapped in darkness.
Debris was reported to be lofted more than 20,000 feet in the air as the tornado began ripping through the Sharkey and Humphrey counties at 8:50pm last night.
Authorities even warned those in the tornados path were in a “life threatening situation” as over 30million people were urged to prepare for the 135mph mega storm and golf ball-sized hail.
The damage caused by the whirlwind stretches at least 100 miles long, and weather reports have stated it may now be heading towards Alabama.
The National Weather Service released an urgent alert after the tornado touched down in Rolling Fork, advising: “To protect your life, take cover now.
“You are in a life-threatening situation,” it warned, ‘flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible”.
Search and rescue crews have been scrambled out to Sharkey and Humphreys counties after reports flooded in of people being trapped under rubble.
A Mississippi resident, Corney Knight, told the Associated Press that he, his wife and their three-year-old daughter were at a relative’s home in Rolling Fork when the tornado hit, and said it was “eerily quiet” just moments before.
He explained how he watched the twister from a doorway until the beast was less than a mile away and then told everyone in the house to take cover in the hallway.
Cornel described the nightmare as it unfolded – recalling the moment the tornado ripped into another relatives home across from where he was and as the wall collapsed, several people were still left inside.
More than half a dozen emergency shelters have now been set up throughout Mississippi following the carnage.
After the whirlwind first tore through Rolling Fork, weather watcher Zachary Hill tweeted: “The damage in Rolling Fork, Mississippi is BAD. People are trapped, we need help here.
“Major tornado damage, we need as many ambulances as possible and any help for search and rescue in this town,” he added.
After Rolling Fork had been hit, the tornado continued north-eastward for at least 40 miles to near Silver City, Tchula and Winona.
The storm is part of a string of severe weather in the Midwest after southern Missouri was hit by nearly three inches of torrential rain on Thursday night.
The downpour triggered flash flooding and two people have been reported dead after their car was swept away in the deluge.
Local authorities stated that six young adults were in the vehicle at the time, but only four managed to escape.
Yesterday a suspected tornado was also reported to have swept through Poolville, Texas, ripping mobile homes off the ground and leaving two injured.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards warned of potential tornados reaching the state as the weekend approaches – and he urged residents to prepare for severe damage.
As the tornado continued to wreak havoc through the state, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves tweeted: “Many in the MS Delta need your prayer and God’s protection tonight.
“We have activated medical support — surging more ambulances and other emergency assets for those affected. Search and rescue is active”.
As the series of severe storms continue to roll through Texas, the National Weather Service warned they are continuing to head south during the afternoon and evening, especially across parts of Mississippi.
