Homes severely damaged when likely tornado tears through Choctaw County in Mississippi
The damage comes as a severe weather outbreak spawned at least 30 reports of tornadoes from Louisiana to Mississippi and Alabama since Tuesday afternoon, and that threat of destructive thunderstorms will continue across the South as the storm system slides east on Wednesday.
'5 to 6 homes severely damaged' by tornado-warned storms in Choctaw County, MS
Sergeant Dillon Cates with the Choctaw County Sheriff's Department, gives an update on damage in his community.
CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. – Several homes were severely damaged when a likely tornado tore through Choctaw County, Mississippi, on Tuesday afternoon, but emergency officials said there haven't been any reports of injuries.
The damage comes as a severe weather outbreak spawned at least 30 reports of tornadoes from Louisiana to Mississippi and Alabama since Tuesday afternoon, and that threat of destructive thunderstorms will continue across the South as the storm system slides east on Wednesday.
SEVERE STORMS TURN DEADLY IN SOUTH AFTER AT LEAST 30 TORNADOES REPORTED ACROSS 3 STATES
Sheriff surveys possible tornado damage
A possible tornado tore through Choctaw County, Mississippi.
Emergency crews have been working nonstop since Tuesday afternoon, responding to reports of storm damage across Choctaw County.
Sgt. Dillon Cates with the Choctaw County Sheriff's Department said they first received word of a possible tornado in the Sherwood area of Choctaw County at 5:19 p.m. Tuesday.
"Once arriving in the area, we did find where the tornado crossed, which was on Hester Road near Natchez Trace Parkway where it crosses Hester Road there," he told FOX Weather on Wednesday morning. "We've had about six homes that were severely damaged by the storm."
Storm damage in Sherwood, Mississippi
First responders were slowed by downed trees as they drove through storm damage in Sherwood, Mississippi.
Cates said a mobile home had its roof lifted off by the storm, twisted in the air and set back down on the home.
In addition to the damaged homes, Cates said at least two car crashes were reported – one from the likely tornado and the other due to the destructive winds that followed.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOUR PROPERTY SUSTAINED TORNADO DAMAGE
According to Cates, about 5,500 power outages were reported at the height of the storm, but those numbers dropped to about 250 by Wednesday morning.
"Those crews have done an excellent job restoring power, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation has done an excellent job of reopening the highways," Cates said.
Cates said that when the sun rises and the threat of severe weather is over, crews will be out in full force to begin damage assessments and to help residents with clean-up efforts, such as putting tarps on roofs that have been torn off.
‘COMMUNITY WIPED OFF THE MAP': AT LEAST 2 KILLED WHEN LIKELY TORNADO RIPPED THROUGH ALABAMA
Deaths, injuries reported as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes sweep through South
Two people killed after trees fell on home from likely tornado in Montgomery County, AL
Christina Thornton, Montgomery County Emergency Management Director, confirmed two people were killed after a likely tornado hit the area.
Deaths and injuries have been reported elsewhere in the South from the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that moved through starting on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
At least two people were killed in Montgomery County, Alabama, early Wednesday morning when a likely tornado moved through the Flatwood community in the city of Montgomery's north side, according to the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency.
Montgomery County EMA director Christina Thornton said that multiple injuries have been reported in addition to the two fatalities.
SEE TORNADOES RIP THROUGH SOUTH, DAMAGING CHURCHES AND DESTROYING HOMES
Caldwell Parish, Louisiana sees extensive damage from tornado
Video shows extensive damage in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana after a tornado moved through Tuesday night.
"We don't have an exact number, and I do not want to give out incorrect information," she said. "But there are minor, moderate (injuries) and the two fatalities that we have suffered in our community at this time."
Additionally, four people were seriously injured and several animals were killed in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, during a possible tornado Tuesday evening, according to photojournalist Michael Beard with Live Storms Media.