Mississippi Tornado Recovery Progresses with 25 Fatalities Reported

Mississippi is currently undergoing clean-up operations after a destructive tornado hit the state, leaving at least 25 people dead and causing widespread damage. The small town of Rolling Fork was largely wiped out, with buildings flattened, roofs blown away, and cars smashed together amid piles of debris. The National Weather Service rated the tornado a four out of five on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with a path of up to three quarters of a mile wide for 59 miles. The American Red Cross has set up an infirmary in Rolling Fork and is providing food and medical support to those affected. President Joe Biden has ordered federal aid to Mississippi to support recovery efforts, including grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. FEMA has sent teams to help plan for and start the recovery process, and electricity repairs are underway to restore power to affected areas. Mississippi is also bracing for more turbulent weather, with the emergency management agency warning that “tornadoes cannot be ruled out.” Tornadoes are relatively common in the United States, especially in the central and southern parts of the country.