A series of deadly tornadoes and thunderstorms battered Mississippi, which began assessing damage on Saturday. 25 people died and the toll continues to grow. The government has just sent reinforcements as weather alerts remain in effect in several states this weekend.
The damage is impressive and spread over more than 160 kilometers in western Mississippi. In all, a dozen tornadoes were recorded, accompanied by violent thunderstorms and large hail. In some counties, entire neighborhoods have been devastated, razed to the ground. Despite the warnings issued by the authorities, thousands of people found themselves trapped by these tornadoes.
The latest toll stands at 25 dead and dozens injured, according to the Mississippi State Emergency Services (MSEMA). Four people missing have been found “, they added. Search and rescue teams are on the job to find victims.
Uprooted trees, razed houses
In Rolling Fork, a town of some 2,000 people in western Mississippi, footage Saturday morning showed entire rows of homes torn from their meager foundations, streets littered with debris and cars flipped onto their roofs. Two semi-trailers were also piled up on top of each other. Trees were uprooted and pieces of metal wrapped around the trunks while for one house, still standing but wobbly, the floor collapsed.
According to ABC, at least 13 people died in Sharkey County, along with three in neighboring Carroll County and two others in Monroe County. Separately, a Silver City, Humphreys County police officer reported one person dead to ABC. In neighboring Mississippi, Alabama, thunderstorms were also particularly intense and a man died after his trailer overturned, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities expect more severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes this weekend. Weather alerts remain in place. Since the beginning of the year, more than 280 tornadoes have been recorded in the United States. One of the highest numbers in recent years.
“ Devastating damage »
” It’s a tragedy “, declared on Twitter the governor of the state, Tate Reeves, referring to “ devastating damage “, after the passage of these tornadoes which traveled the Mississippi for more than 150 km from west to east. ” The scale of loss and damage is evident in all affected areas today “, he explained after traveling to Silver City, one of the hardest hit cities. US President Joe Biden spoke in a statement of the “heartbreaking” images, and stressed that the federal state would “ anything he can to help », « as long as it takes “.
On CNN, Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker blasted: “ my town no longer exists “. According to the city councilor, several victims were located and removed from the debris of their homes, to be taken to hospitals and treated. “ Houses that have been ripped off can be replaced, but you can’t replace a life. “, said Eldridge Walker again. ” Losses will be felt in these towns forever tweeted Governor Tate Reeves, asking to pray for the victims and their families.
These Mississippi tornadoes are pretty classic. The part of Mississippi affected is part of what is called “Tornado Alley”. On the other hand, climate change has an influence on these events at several levels. Their violence first…
Alix Roumagnac, president of a company specializing in weather risk management