Mississippi experiences at least seven tornadoes, injuring 17 and damaging hundreds of homes

At least seven tornadoes struck Mississippi this week, with the National Weather Service confirming their occurrence in south Mississippi on Wednesday and Thursday. The strongest were two EF3 tornadoes that hit Franklin and Lamar counties, but surveys are ongoing, officials said.

Gov. Tate Reeves reported that 17 people were injured in the storms. Hundreds of homes were damaged across the affected counties, and more than 4,300 power outages were reported statewide, down from a peak of approximately 20,100, according to utility providers.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has opened shelters for storm survivors at the Lamar County Safe Room in Purvis and the Lincoln County Safe Room in Brookhaven. Donation centers have also been established at the Bogue Chitto Fire Department and the East Lincoln Fire Department to support those affected.

MEMA is coordinating response and recovery efforts with local, state, and volunteer partners, including the Cajun Navy and the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. The agency has delivered tarps to Lawrence, Lamar, and Lincoln counties to assist with repairs.

Officials urge residents to avoid affected areas due to downed power lines, unstable trees, and floodwaters, which pose safety risks. Emergency officials emphasized that unnecessary traffic could hinder rescue operations. Those impacted are advised to file insurance claims, document property damage with photographs, and report damages through official channels.

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