Twisters slam Mississippi injuring 17 and damaging more than 300 homes during Tornado Emergency
Governor Tate Reeves said that 17 people have been injured and more than 300 homes have been destroyed across several counties, but no deaths have been confirmed.
Severe weather threat shifts east, after tornadoes slam Mississippi Wednesday
Parts of southern Alabama, southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle are under a Level 2 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms, according to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC). These storms could be capable of producing tornadoes, after supercell thunderstorms spawned several twisters that destroyed homes in Mississippi Wednesday evening. Severe thunderstorms will be accompanied by heavy rain that could cause flash flooding.
JACKSON, Miss. — Several tornadoes spawned by supercell thunderstorms ripped through central, west and southern Mississippi Wednesday evening, triggering a tornado emergency. Governor Tate Reeves said that 17 people have been injured and more than 300 homes have been damaged across several counties, but no deaths have been confirmed.
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Image 1 of 5Tornado damage in Brookhaven, MS. (Kristen LaShea Banks via Storyful)
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Image 2 of 5Tornado damage in Brookhaven, MS. (Kristen LaShea Banks via Storyful)
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Image 3 of 5Tornado damage in Brookhaven, MS. (Kristen LaShea Banks via Storyful)
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Image 4 of 5Tornado damage in Brookhaven, MS. (Kristen LaShea Banks via Storyful)
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Image 5 of 5Photos of storm damage in Franklin County in Meadville Mississippi, shows mangled structures, downed trees and slanted power lines. (Cam Ham / Facebook)
Gov. Reeves said Thursday that multiple roads remain closed and shelters are open to displaced families.
More than 19,000 customers were without power across the state early Thursday.
Some of the most significant damage has been reported across Lincoln, Lamar, Franklin and Kemper counties.
Lincoln County Emergency Management officials told FOX Weather that while severe storms caused major damage and several injuries, no deaths have been confirmed and no one is missing.
Drone video shows damage at a trailer home community in Bogue Chitto, Mississippi.
(Chris Weather Chasing / FOX Weather)
Drone video from Bogue Chitto, Mississippi, showed extensive damage to a trailer home community.
Lamar County Emergency Management officials warned people to stay away from the city of Purvis due to tornado damage and downed power lines. Video from Purvis showed homes with roofs torn off and cars that were completely crushed.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has scheduled damage survey crews to determine the strength of the tornadoes later Thursday.
A Tornado Emergency was first issued for parts of Adams and Franklin counties, just after 7 p.m. local time.
TORNADO EMERGENCY: Dangerous confirmed tornado in Mississippi
A Tornado Emergency has been issued for parts of Franklin County, Mississippi, as a confirmed large and destructive tornado was observed near Bude and Meadville. FOX Weather Meteorologist Steve Bender analyzes the dangerous tornado on radar and identifies areas that need to be on alert.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) received at least 14 reports of tornado damage.
Severe storms generated large hail across the region, including reports of hail up to 2.75 inches in diameter in Waugh, Alabama, and Tucker, Mississippi.
A Tornado Watch remained in effect for southern Alabama, southern Georgia and parts of the Florida Panhandle through 9 a.m. Thursday.
Check back for updates on this developing story.