After severe weather hit much of Mississippi on Wednesday night, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has confirmed one fatality and three injuries as thousands statewide remain without power.
“Tragically, one fatality and three injuries have been reported in Lawrence County,” Gov. Tate Reeves wrote on social media. “Mississippi is praying for the family of the lost and for a speedy recovery of those injured.”
The identities of the deceased and those injured have not been released.
According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes are believed to have touched down in Pike, Lincoln, and Walthall counties. Damage is being reported in Amite, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pike, Smith, and Walthall counties, Reeves added.
“The state of Mississippi is in contact with local emergency managers and damage assessments ae underway,” he continued. “This includes damage to homes, as well as downed trees and power lines. This (number) may change as assessments continue.”
Southwest Mississippi Community College, which is in Pike County, confirmed several power lines and trees fell on campus. Five trees hit the school’s library as officials are urging people not to drive on campus for the time being.
As of Thursday at 9:30 a.m., approximately 43,000 customers statewide remained without power. The largest outage numbers are coming in Hinds, Pike, Amite, Lincoln, and Lawrence counties.