PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) – Reports of damage and debris have been coming in as a highly active storm system with multiple confirmed tornados moves through the Pine Belt on Saturday.
Saturday’s storm is part of a system that moved across the U.S. on Friday night, leaving at least 16 dead.
WALTHALL COUNTY
Walthall County Sheriff Kyle Breland confirmed to WDAM7 that there have been three deaths and multiple injuries due to tornadoes in the Tylertown area.
“We’ve been hit hard,” said Breland. “Multiple injuries; three confirmed deaths. A lot of homes destroyed and a lot of trees blocking roads.”
One of the first confirmed tornados moved through Walthall County around 12:45 p.m.
WDAM 7 First Alert meteorologists noted a debris signature near Tylertown. The National Weather Service chat later indicated the debris loft reached more than 17,000 feet into the air.
The Walthall EMA director told WLBT News, “We have taken a hit at the Paradise Ranch RV Resort.”
The resort is located at 660 Mississippi Hwy 48 West in Tylertown.
The EMA director also confirmed that multiple mobile homes had been damaged, along with trapped individuals.
More than 2,850 customers were without power in Walthall County as of 4:30 p.m.
COVINGTON COUNTY
Covington County Coroner Chris Daquila confirmed one death Saturday afternoon.
“Yes, I can confirm one, storm-related death.” Daquila said. “At this point, we’re not giving names until family is notified.”
Covington County EPA Director Brennon Chancellor said the county had been struck by two tornadoes.
The first hit the Hot Coffee community in northeast Covington County, taking down trees and power lines, while damaging multiple structures and causing minor injuries.
The second tornado proved deadly, striking Seminary and accounting for the death and a major injury. The second strike also caused “several” minor injuries as well as downed power lines and trees.
Chancellor said he expected debris removal from county roads to be completed by nightfall Saturday, thanks to the cooperation and efforts of volunteer fire departments, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, emergency management personnel, county road crews, dispatchers and residents.
Chancellor said official damage assessments would begin early in the week ahead.
SMITH COUNTY
WDAM 7 meteorologists have tracked multiple tornados and rotational systems through the Taylorsville area.
Incoming videos and photos from the area show widespread damage.
Video of tornado damage in Taylorsville, MS, submitted by Jodi Robinson.
Taylorsville High School also suffered some damage, with heavy losses to its baseball diamond.
The baseball coach at Taylorsville High School photographed tornado damage to the school’s baseball diamond.(Laine Jordan)
JEFFERSON DAVIS COUNTY
Jefferson Davis County Emergency Management Agency Director Jocelyn Ragsdale reported two, storm-related deaths and “possible” injuries in the county.
A viewer submitted a video of flying debris in Whitesand, a community north of Prentiss.
Video of storm damage in Whitesand, near Prentiss, taken by Colton Jones.
WDAM 7 is working to gather more information, but conditions are still dangerous as more storms track across areas of the Pine Belt.
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