Lily Milner
Reporter
Mississippi is once again in shock after severe storms and tornadoes rampaged across the South last weekend, leaving a trail of widespread destruction and devastation.
Preliminary reports show that 17 tornadoes touched down in Mississippi on March 14-15, leaving 29 people injured and causing 7 deaths, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). However, officials say that this data is subject to change over tine and could increase as the assessment process continues.
Storm damage in Mississippi has also been reported in more than 21 counties, according to MEMA. The agency is asking any resident who sustained storm damage to take photos of the damage and report it to their county and MEMA. They are also encouraging any residents in need of something as a result of the storms to contact their county emergency management agency,
Prior to the storm, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a Level 5 Risk on Friday for parts of Mississippi and Alabama, signaling Mississippi the highest possibility of severe weather. A level 5 risk is notably rare, with an average of only two or three being issued each year.
Mississippi has seen a drastic surge in tornadoes over the years, as the unofficial area known as 'Tornado Alley' continues to shift eastward, In 2024, the National Weather Service reported that at least 85 tornadoes hit the state, with 44 of those 85 all touching down during the December outbreak of that year from the 27th to the 28th.
Gov. Tate Reeves has declared a State of Emergency while towns recover from the current devastation. He held a news conference on Sunday addressing the damage and recovery efforts.
"Mississipians in times like these step up, and do what is necessary to take care of our friends and our neighbors. And that makes me proud to be a Mississipian," Reeves said.
Donation drop offs have been set up at:
• Elliot Baptist Church in Grenada County- 566 Nat G Troutt Rd.
Grenada, MS
• Walthall EOC in Walthall County- 908 Armory Rd Tylertown, MS
For more information on relief efforts, please visit the MEMA website.