American politics
Great devastation in Mississippi after tornado - 26 dead
Of:
Nelly Kronstrand
Published: Today 10.33
Updated: Today 10.53
NEWS
The death toll has risen to 26 in what is believed to be Mississippi's worst tornado disaster in more than 50 years.
Authorities are now in a race against time as they try to rescue injured people trapped under the rubble.
- My city is razed to the ground, the mayor of Rolling Fork told CNN.
A violent tornado swept across Mississippi in the United States on Friday.
So far, 26 people have been confirmed dead. Emergency services fear the death toll could rise further as the tornado continues to move through the state on Sunday, according to the Washington post.
- There is nothing left. The only thing left is the wind blowing through... nothing," Mississippi resident Wonder Bolden told the AP.
Wonder Bolden with grandson Journey Bolden at her mother's destroyed house in Rolling Fork. Photo: Rogelio V. Solis / AP
Devastation in Amory, Mississippi. Photo: Thomas Wells/AP
"Saw houses fly"
The tornado brought hail the size of golf balls. Roofs and house walls have been swept away in the storm, cars have been lifted and thrown and trees have been uprooted from the ground.
The storm first moved in during the night - as a result of which residents in the state missed the authorities' tornado warning, according to the BBC.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves testifies to entire towns being wiped to the ground.
"The loss will be felt in these cities forever," he writes on Twitter.
Photo: Jim Lytle/AP
Yvonne Hayes in her kitchen in Avory, Mississippi – which is now outdoors. Photo: Jim Lytle/AP
Among the most affected towns are Silver City and Rolling Fork.
- My city is leveled to the ground, says Rolling Fork's mayor to CNN.
Silver city resident Shaquetin Burnett describes similar devastation.
- I saw houses flying everywhere. The house at the bottom of the street was spinning, she tells AP.
In the same town lives William Barnes. He describes how the shock remains after his house - where he lived for 20 years - was razed to the ground.
- We have lost everything, but we survived, he tells the news agency while holding his grandson in his arms.
20 million people may be affected
The tornado disaster is believed to be the deadliest in the state in over 50 years, writes the Washington Post.
US President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in Mississippi on Sunday.
“We will do everything we can to help. We will work together to provide the best support you need to recover. No matter how long it takes," he writes on Twitter.
20 million people in the United States are now at risk of being affected by tornadoes that come with strong storms, according to CNN.
According to the latest reports, the weather service has issued a Class 3 of 5 warning in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
They fear the storm will reach Alabama and Georgia during Sunday morning local time. Then it will drift further into Texas.
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