A cleanup has begun in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after the rural town bore the brunt of a trail of powerful tornadoes that swept through the southern state.
About 23 people were confirmed dead in Mississippi and one in Alabama after 24 80-mph tornadoes hit the region.
Survivors of the devastating disaster said they “hoped and prayed” as they stayed up all night to help clear the debris.
The rural towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City in Sharkey County, about 60 miles northeast of Jackson, were hit by a particularly devastating tornado just after 8 p.m. Friday.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves confirmed he would be traveling to Sharkey County on Saturday as he commended the efforts of “brave, capable responders and loving neighbors.”
A rescuer wades through the debris March 25 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after the rural town was hit by tornadoes that left 24 dead
Search and rescue teams have now been dispatched to Rolling Fork, along with ambulances
The storm had produced hail the size of golf balls as it swept through several southern states
Individuals are urged not to clean up themselves and wait to volunteer with affiliated groups
Mississippi’s emergency management urged individuals not to start the cleanup themselves and instead wait to work with affiliated groups “when the time is right.”
It added that the Rolling Fork Civic Center is open to donations of water and resources.
It came as authorities revealed a husband and wife were found dead at their home in Rolling Fork after winds threw a neighbor’s 18-wheel truck into their home.
Search and rescue teams have now been dispatched to Rolling Fork, along with ambulances.
Shelters are also open and crews have come from all over to help, Gov. Reeves said.
He wrote on Twitter: “Just completed the command briefing with our disaster response team. Devastating damage – as everyone knows.
A resident trawls through piles of debris, insulation and furnishings to see if there’s anything to salvage at a Rolling Fork RV park
Search and rescue teams have now been dispatched to Rolling Fork, along with ambulances
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves commended the efforts of “brave, capable responders and loving neighbors” in Sharkey County
A sheriff’s deputy climbs atop a pile of windswept vehicles to search for any survivors or the dead
Local residents said the community got together to get the clean-up work underway
Police officers climb through rubble at a diner early Saturday in search of survivors
“This is a tragedy. I’m on my way to Sharkey County to be with the people who got hit first.
“We are blessed with brave, capable responders and loving neighbors. Please keep praying.’
Good Samaritans in high-vis jackets waded through the rubble on Saturday morning.
Rolling Fork resident Shanta Howard said the community has come together to help with the operation.
“Everyone helps everyone, not just this part of town — it’s everywhere,” she told WAPT 16.
“Everyone helps and prays for everyone.”
She also described the horror of the attack, which left her fearing for her life.
Rolling Fork resident Shanta Howard described her despair at having to remove bodies from houses
Rolling Fork residents say the area was devastated by the disaster, with homes torn apart
“As you can see, no one has a home here,” she said.
“We had to help dead bodies out of the house. This is very disturbing – to actually see people losing their lives in such bad weather.
“What was going through my head? “Lord, I don’t want to die. I don’t want me or the children to die.”
Roommate Edgar O’Neil said: “Complete and utter devastation. Only houses, roofs torn off houses, walls torn off houses.
“I’ve seen several areas where parts of the concrete, the asphalt, have been lifted out of the ground. I mean utter devastation.”
Sharkey County Coroner Angelia Eason confirmed that at least 13 people had been killed in Rolling Fork.
She added that six bodies were recovered from an RV park.
Eason said a man and woman were killed by their neighbor’s 18-wheel truck, which drove into their home.