Long-track, violent tornado hits Mississippi, leaving massive damage and multiple fatalities

A long-track, EF-4 tornado hit several towns in Mississippi around 21:00 LT on Friday, March 24, 2023, leaving massive damage in Rolling Fork. The same storm produced several other strong tornadoes, including an EF-3 that hit Winona.

A tornado emergency was issued for Rolling Fork and Anguilla, Mississippi on Friday evening (LT) due to the presence of a large and destructive tornado.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the tornado was situated over Rolling Fork and was moving northeast at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). The tornado emergency alert — the most severe level of a tornado-related alert issued by NWS — urged residents to take immediate shelter, warning that they were in a life-threatening situation.

Rolling Fork, located about 96.5 km (60 miles) northwest of Jackson, Mississippi, was directly in the path of the dangerous twister. The latest reports mention at least 7 fatalities in Rolling Fork.

Significant damage was reported in the towns of Silver City and Belzoni, located northeast of Rolling Fork. At least 1 person was killed and 2 severely injured in Silver City.

Updates

11:42 UTC

The death toll rose to 21 by 11:42 UTC.

At least 13 deaths were reported in Sharkey County, home to Rolling Fork. Three others were killed and at least 2 are in critical condition in Humphreys County.

Three people died in Carroll County and 2 more in Monroe County.

It’s still unclear whether the destruction was caused by one long-tracked tornado or multiple tornadoes.

March 26, 14:42 UTC

At least 25 people were killed and dozens more were injured by violent tornadoes that hit Mississippi on Friday night, according to the state’s emergency management agency.

The National Weather Service gave a preliminary rating of EF-4 to the tornado that hit Rolling Fork, leaving total devastation in its wake.

The storm also spawned other strong tornadoes, including an EF-3 that struck Winona, Mississippi.

Fatalities were reported in four counties — Sharkey, Humphreys, Carroll and Monroe, and the governor declared a state of emergency for the affected areas.

March 26, 10:13 UTC

Featured image credit: Live Storms Media (stillshot)