The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reported earlier today that at least 23 people were killed last night as a massive tornado hit multiple small towns. Their latest statement reads, “Unfortunately, these numbers are expected to change.”  Search and recovery efforts are underway.

All Treepers in the region please check in and let us know your status in the comment section.

(Via ABC) – At least 23 people died as a “destructive” tornado and strong thunderstorms swept across Mississippi late Friday, leaving a trail of damage for more than 100 miles, local and federal authorities said.

Search and rescue operations were underway in Sharkey and Humphreys counties, Mississippi’s Emergency Management Agency said late Friday. The agency issued a series of tornado warnings in counties throughout the state.

[…] Thirteen people died in Sharkey County, Coroner Angelia Easton told ABC News, adding that she could not yet confirm their ages. Carroll County Coroner Mark Stiles said three people had died. Another two were dead in Monroe County, Coroner Alan Gurley said. Jose Watson, a Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper, said one person died in Silver City, in Humphreys County. (read more)

It looks like the town of Rolling Fork has been hit hard. Rolling Fork is a small Mississippi town of about 2,000 people in Sharkey County. It was the birthplace of the blues singer Muddy Waters and sits between the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers. Silver City also looks to have taken a direct hit and the area damage is described as catastrophic.

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