In the United States, devastation knocked on the doors of the state of Mississippi, where on Sunday night against the effects of tornadoes that swept through the southern region and left some 25 dead, while the climate crisis continues.
Free teams assessed the damage of destroyed homes, crushed buildings and vehicles in Rolling Fork, a small town that almost disappeared.
In that municipality, about 2,000 inhabitants, he described the streets as a “war zone”. AFP John Brown, Red Cross manager in Alabama and Mississippi. Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) has warned the residents of these two states about the possibility of new “supercell electric storms” that “could produce strong tornadoes and large-scale hail”.
At least 25 people were killed and injured in Mississippi as a massive storm ripped through several states Friday night. – Photo: Associated Press / Julio Cortés
In one of the latest reports from the Mississippi Emergency Service (MSEMA), it warned about the probability that the number of victims will soon “change”. Winds of more than 100 mph ripped through this area of the southern United States, leaving “devastating damage” in their wake, Gov. Tate Reeves
:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/semana/6GKPLI77RNDJVKNHXNHUOLAFKI.jpg "Mississippi causes devastation from tornadoes; there are more than 20 deaths")
A Bible, trophies and other items from the rubble of a destroyed home are seen two days before the tornado struck on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. – Photo: Associated Press / Julio Cortez
One of the hurricanes is preliminarily classified as a category 4 (5 on the Fujita scale), MSEMA said. Entire rows of houses have been torn from their foundations, the streets are full of rubble, and cars are seen on the roofs of the houses, as well as cut trees and metal trunks entangled
panorama of “pain”
Fundraising began on Saturday. The Red Cross stayed in the National Guard building, where food, medicine and shelters arrived. Some traveled ten kilometers to help the victims.
:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/semana/PORO5KH7RVATREQMQGQ7RA74GA.jpg "Mississippi causes devastation from tornadoes; there are more than 20 deaths")
Kimberly Berry looks at the remains of her home outside Anguilla, Mississippi, on Saturday, March 25, 2023, one day after a massive tornado destroyed the one story home where she lived with her two daughters. – Photo: Associated Press / Emily Wagster Chest
Jon Gebhardt, a professor of military science at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, said he arrived in town late Friday, about a three-hour drive from Rolling Fork, to help mediate relief efforts.
Due to the “pain and anguish” of the residents, “I cried a lot”, he confessed to AFP. On Saturday, electricians drove in vans through the area to try to restore power as quickly as possible.
Joe Biden announced the measure
President Joe Biden ordered the deployment of federal aid, which was used to support temporary housing, repair others and provide loans to cover losses from single properties.
The president evoked images of “heartbreak” on Saturday and stated that the federal government would do “everything possible to help” those affected “as long as necessary.”
:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/semana/KXQ2LR72AJD2HARIMP3NGYRO7M.jpg "Mississippi causes devastation from tornadoes; there are more than 20 deaths")
Joe Biden has ordered the deployment of federal emergency aid to Mississippi. – Photo: Associated Press / Susan Walsh
“We see how extreme weather events are increasing both in severity and frequency,” said the Secretary of National Security, Alejandro Mayorkas. “Our communities must be built so that we are more prepared and respond more promptly and restore normalcy as soon as possible,” he added.
There are still “dangers”;
MSEMA confirmed that new severe weather conditions are expected. In parts of Mississippi, “extant” weather hazards have been developed. “Destructive storms and tornadoes are possible.”
There is now a “slight” risk of severe weather for central and southern parts of Mississippi this afternoon into the evening hours.
There's now a "Moderate" risk for severe weather in central and parts of south Mississippi this afternoon into the evening hours.
🌪Damaging winds and tornadoes,some potentially strong, are possible.
📲Have MULTIPLE ways to receive weather alerts. Do not rely outdoor sirens. pic.twitter.com/Xok8E1vXSF— msema (@MSEMA) March 26, 2023
In the southern United States, thunderstorms were also very intense on Friday. An Alabama man has died after jumping six, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said.
Tornadoes are common in the United States, especially in the Midwest and South. In December 2021, around 80 people lost their lives after such events hit the state of Kentucky.
* With data from AFP.
