Tornadoes in Mississippi leave destruction and hope

Survivors find new lease on life amidst tragedy

Mississippi has been hit hard by tornadoes recently, leading to the loss of 21 people and damage to around 2,000 homes. Amidst the destruction, stories of survival have emerged, inspiring hope and resilience in the community. One such survivor is Rolling Fork City Councilman Undray Williams who miraculously made it through the deadly tornado unscathed.

A miraculous rescue for a city councilman

Williams’ house was completely destroyed by the tornado, but he managed to survive without any injuries. According to Williams, he believes that God’s angels protected him during the disaster. Williams was alone in his bedroom when he received the alert about the tornado approaching his home. The wind blew him into the bathroom, where he took cover in a tub.

After the tornado passed, Williams realized that a sectional pillow from his couch had landed behind his back and shielded him from further harm. Despite losing his home of 40 years, Williams has started to rebuild his life and is back serving as a councilman for Rolling Fork City.

Mayor urges caution due to safety concerns

Meanwhile, Mayor Eldridge Walker of Rolling Fork has issued a statement urging people not to visit the city for sightseeing purposes following the EF4 tornado which caused severe destruction. The presence of sightseers hinders relief workers from doing their jobs properly and also poses safety concerns for everyone involved.

Rolling Fork has a small police department with only 10 officers and limited resources to manage safety during recovery efforts. However, 30 state troopers have been deployed to help with law enforcement efforts in Sharkey County as well as other affected areas.

The mayor urges anyone visiting Rolling Fork to refrain from doing so until it is completely safe to do so. Due to downed power lines, debris, and glass, it is not safe to visit the city at the moment. The extra people in the dangerous area also inhibit the workers’ ability to maintain safety while working towards recovery.

Government relief efforts underway for those affected

In response to the tornadoes, President Joe Biden has approved an emergency disaster declaration, making victims eligible for grants from FEMA and low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Many homes in Sharkey County are uninsured and over 25% of residents have been displaced from their homes.

Sharkey County could be dealing with over $200 million in uninsured losses. In response to this, MEMA has given the latest information on damaged homes, deaths, and injuries by county. FEMA has approved Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey counties for individual assistance and more counties could be added as damage assessments continue.

FEMA is providing assistance to victims of the tornadoes by helping them apply for aid and placing victims in nearby hotel rooms. Victims can call 800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov for help.

Conclusion

The recent tornadoes in Mississippi have left a trail of destruction, but amidst the gloom, stories of survival and resilience have emerged. The city councilman’s miraculous escape serves as a reminder of hope and renewal even in times of grave tragedy. Amidst fears of looting and safety concerns, Mayor Eldridge Walker of Rolling Fork urges people to stay away until it is completely safe to visit. Government relief efforts are being stepped up, providing much-needed assistance to those affected by the natural disaster.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons