Recovery, response, relief efforts begin after storms

Overnight another storm-related fatality was confirmed, bringing the Mississippi death toll to at least four with more than 40 other injuries after an outbreak of tornadoes swept northern Mississippi on Wednesday.

The Storm Prediction Center said as many as 14 tornadoes touched down in the state. One of those reportedly tracked from the Mississippi River, through Holly Springs and into Tennessee.

A 7-year-old boy in Marshall County was the first confirmed fatality after what meteorologists called “a very large, very dangerous” tornado hit the south part of the county, throwing cars off roads, damaging structures and kicking off search-and-rescue efforts throughout the area that will continue through the night.

As it happened: Bryant: Seven people killed in Miss.

In Benton County, Sheriff A.A. McMullen said there were two confirmed deaths. “We’re afraid we’re going to have more,” he said Wednesday evening.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Sgt. Ray Hall said the two in Benton County were a man and a woman, both in their 60s, killed separately when their respective homes were destroyed.

At the time, Hall said there were still roughly four people unaccounted for and the search would continue. He later confirmed to media the third Benton County fatality.

Gov. Phil Bryant issued a statement in the wake of the powerful and deadly storms.

“Deborah and I are deeply saddened to hear of the lives that were lost during today’s tornado outbreak,” he said. “I ask that Mississippians keep the numerous families affected by these storms in their thoughts and prayers during the holiday season. I am in contact with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety coordinating disaster response to ensure the areas in immediate need are receiving any and all state resources that can assist them during this time.”

In Clarksdale, where the first major storm hit Wednesday, at least 15 homes and an agricultural airport were destroyed.

Across the affected area, search and rescue and damage assessment was to continue throughout the night.

Dark fell early enough that emergency responders said they wouldn’t have a clear grasp of the devastation until morning.

Forecasters had warned that Wednesday’s storms would be incredibly dangerous and potentially deadly.

"This is definitely a higher-end threat than your typical baseline severe weather event," National Weather Service meteorologist Daniel Lamb said earlier in the day. "This is definitely a greater threat than typical for a severe weather event."

Early reports of damages were as follows:

• In Marshall County, portions of Mississippi 4, Mississippi 7 and U.S. 78 were closed by debris after the storms, and many people were stranded inside Walmart on Mississippi 7. According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, homes, trees, and power lines were damaged.
• Benton County had cars damaged along Mississippi 5 near Ashland, closing the highway, along with homes damaged and the two reported fatalities.
• Coahoma County had damage to at least 15 homes and the agricultural airport.
• Panola County had homes damaged near Sardis, at least two injuries, and Mississippi 315 was closed between Sledge and Sardis while crews removed debris. The Panolian reported that EMA Director Daniel Cole was trying to find a quorum of supervisors to declare an emergency in the county in order to start bringing in resources and assistance.
• Quitman County had damages to homes.
• Tippah County had damage to areas near the Brownsville community.

MEMA has partially activated the state Emergency Operations Center and sent assets to the affected areas, a spokesman said.

Red Cross shelters are open in Clarksdale and Holly Springs.

• Clarksdale Civic Auditorium, 506 E 2nd St, Clarksdale, MS
• Eddie Smith Multipurpose Center, 285 North Memphis Street, Holly Springs, MS

Trained Red Cross volunteers and workers are providing safe shelter, food and emergency relief supplies. There are several response vehicles driving through storm-damaged neighborhoods evaluating damages.

“It’s heart-wrenching to see the destruction this storm has caused and that so many people have lost so much, said Red Cross Director of Communications Anna Rogers. “Red Cross workers are on the ground now, providing shelter, food and comfort, and we’ll be here in the days to come to help people begin to recover.”

The National Weather Service will continue with damage assessments Thursday and should have a clearer picture of the devastation.

The weather system did not usher in winter temperatures. Temperatures across the state will be in the upper 70s and low 80s today and Christmas Day around Mississippi.

Contact Therese Apel at tapel@gannett.com or (601) 961-7236. Follow @TRex21 on Twitter.