Powerful storms, including at least three confirmed tornadoes, tore through parts of Mississippi on Wednesday night, damaging nearly 500 homes, uprooting trees, and downing power lines, authorities reported on Thursday. No deaths were immediately reported, but at least 17 people were injured, according to Scott Simmons, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
Twelve of the injured were taken from the Wash Trailer Park in the small community of Bogue Chitto in Lincoln County. Resident Max Mahaffey told WAPT-TV: 'I was just watching TikTok on my bed and thought it was thunder. I went to my living room. I went back to my room, and the room’s gone.' He was unhurt, but his grandmother injured her ankle and neighbours suffered cuts and bruises.
Meteorologist Daniel Lamb of the National Weather Service in Jackson confirmed at least three tornadoes: one from Franklin County through Lincoln into Lawrence counties, and another from Lamar possibly into Forest County. He noted there could be more, as these were confirmed by radar before ground surveys.
Governor Tate Reeves said multiple tornadoes were reported across central and western Mississippi, with the state's emergency management agency coordinating response. Lincoln County officials reported major damage and several injuries but no deaths, with at least 200 homes damaged. Lamar County reported about 275 homes damaged, and Lawrence County had 10 to 12 homes damaged.
The governor said a volunteer rescue group provided a 50-person shelter pod, a high-powered generator, and 10 pallets of supplies to Lincoln County. The National Weather Service warned of more storms on Thursday, with possible tornadoes across parts of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas and Texas.
