We loaded a CERT toolbox trailer yesterday that is heading to Mississippi to assist as recovery efforts get underway.  Samaritan’s Purse is now on the ground in two locations, Rolling Fork and Armory [Register to Volunteer Here]  Any Treepers in the impact zone check in and feel free to provide updates on the ground events that relate to your area.

(Via Fox News) – Help began pouring into one of the poorest regions of the U.S. after a deadly tornado tore a path of destruction for more than an hour across a long swath of Mississippi, even as furious new storms Sunday struck across the Deep South.

At least 25 people were killed and dozens of others were injured in Mississippi as the massive storm ripped through more than a half-dozen towns late Friday. A man was also killed in Alabama after his trailer home flipped over several times.

“Everything I can see is in some state of destruction,” said Jarrod Kunze, who drove to the hard-hit Mississippi town of Rolling Fork from his home in Alabama, ready to help “in whatever capacity I’m needed.”

[…] The storm hit so quickly that the sheriff’s department in Rolling Fork barely had time to set off sirens to warn the community of 2,000 residents, said Mayor Eldridge Walker.

“And by the time they initiated the siren, the storm had hit and it tore down the siren that’s located right over here,” Walker said, referring to an area just blocks from downtown.  The mayor said his town was devastated.

“Sharkey County, Mississippi, is one of the poorest counties in the state of Mississippi, but we’re still resilient,” he said. “We’ve got a long way to go, and we certainly thank everybody for their prayers and for anything they will do or can do for this community.”

[…] Following Biden’s declaration, federal funding will be available for recovery efforts in Mississippi’s Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey counties, including temporary housing, home repairs, loans covering uninsured property losses and other individual and business programs, the White House said in a statement.

The twister flattened entire blocks, obliterated houses, ripped a steeple off a church and toppled a municipal water tower.

Based on early data, the tornado received a preliminary EF-4 rating, the National Weather Service office in Jackson said in a tweet. An EF-4 tornado has top wind gusts between 166 mph and 200 mph.

In Rolling Fork, the tornado reduced homes to piles of rubble and flipped cars on their sides. Other parts of the Deep South were digging out from damage caused by other suspected twisters. (read more)

Samaritan’s Purse is setting up in the following locations:

ROLLING FORK/SILVER CITY
Lake Washington First Baptist Church
1068 Lake Washington Rd E
Glen Allan, MS 38744

AMORY
First Assembly of God Amory
521 Tschudi Road
Amory, MS 38821

[Details and information Here]

Dear God, please bring the residents and families of those in the Mississippi area to Your throne of comfort. The shock and pain is unimaginable as they anguish over the loss of their town, their homes, their sense of normalcy and possibly their loved ones.

Father of mercy and comfort wrap Your loving arms around them. Hold them close. Help them to breathe and overcome the choking knot of despair in their throat.  Raise them, strengthen them, provide assurance for them.  Help the victims to see forward.  Dear Lord please provide wisdom and strength to the leaders of every community.

Please God, provide strength for their continued faith in You through this horrific destruction. Lavish them with Your love and fill the void of loss in their hearts.

In Jesus’ powerful name, I believe and pray.


Amen.

 

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