Severe storms and a tornado have caused devastation in the US state of Mississippi, leaving at least 23 people dead and many others injured. The tornado struck the town of Silver City in Western Mississippi, before sweeping northeastwards towards Alabama. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Sharkey and Humphreys counties, where dozens of people are missing. Mobile homes have been destroyed, and there has been considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles. Flying debris has been a particular danger, and people have been warned to take cover to protect their lives.
The tornado was part of a supercell storm, the type that can cause the deadliest tornadoes and most damaging hail in the US, according to a meteorology professor at the University of Northern Illinois. The storm was particularly dangerous because it struck at night, when people are less likely to hear warnings or take cover. The National Weather Service had warned of a big tornado risk in the general region, but the storm hit an area not covered by specific alerts. The storm has caused power outages affecting thousands of customers in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.
The affected area is largely rural, with many people living below the poverty line. Rolling Fork, a town about half an hour southwest of Silver City, was particularly badly hit. The mayor described the town as essentially wiped out, although he expressed confidence that it would recover. There are concerns that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams continue to comb through the destruction looking for survivors.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has urged residents to watch weather reports and stay cautious and has activated medical support to help those affected. Emergency officials have opened more than a half-dozen shelters in the state. The storm is the latest in a series of extreme weather events to hit the US in recent months, with tornadoes and winter storms causing significant damage and injuries.
