A 7-year-old boy was killed when a tornado ripped through the city of Holly Springs in northern Mississippi on Wednesday, officials say.
Two others were killed in neighboring Benton County, WREG-TV reports.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said at least 40 people were injured statewide.
The tornado caused significant damage to the city of Holly Springs, which is near the border of Mississippi and Tennessee in Marshall County. The tornado ripped through the state as part of a system of strong storms hitting the Deep South.
At least 12 people were reported to be injured in Holly Springs in addition to the boy who was killed. The severity of their injuries was not immediately known.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Officials Say 1 Person Was Revived by Emergency Responders in Holly Springs
Photo: Damage seen to trees, vehicles along road in Holly Springs, Miss., aftere tornado emergency – @fivetoewally:
Officials say one person originally believed to have been killed by the tornado was revived by emergency responders, Fox 13 Memphis reports.
Officials said the storm damaged homes and other buildings in Holly Springs, knocked down power and led to road closures, including Highway 7.
Holly Springs is a city of about 8,000 people.
2. The Tornado Killed 2 People on Roads in Benton County
Higway 72 near Ashland, MS, Benton, Marshall County powerful winds and rotation @LocalMemphis
According to WREG-TV, two deaths were confirmed by the Benton County Sheriff.
One of the deaths occurred on County Church Road and the other on Hamilton Road. Names and ages of the deceased have not yet been released.
3. People Were Reported to be Trapped in Buildings, Including a Walmart
Tornado damage near Holly Springs, MS… photos from David Moore
People were reported to be trapped in buildings in Holly Springs, including a Walmart store, according to WMCA-TV.
The tornado moved across a large area of Mississippi and Tennessee, according to a preliminary damage track by the National Weather Service:
A preliminary damage track from the exceptionally long-track, violent tornado today. Keep N. MS in your thoughts.
4. Damage Was Also Reported in Other Parts of Mississippi
The storm system caused damage in other parts of Mississippi, officials told WREG-TV.
In Coahoma County, homes and an aiport were damaged in CLarksdale. In Panaola County, there was damaged reported near Sardis. Homes were also damaged in Quitman and Tippnah counties, officials said.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said on Facebook, “Extensive damage being reported in Marshall, Benton, Tippah, Coahoma, Panola and Quitman counties. Please stay out of the area if possible to allow first responders to work.”
5. The Threat of Severe Weather in the South Continues Through Wednesday Night
Tornado near Sardis, MS late this afternoon. Same storm that tracked through Holly Springs, MS.. @reedtimmerTVN
A tornado watch remains in place for the Holly Springs area until 8 p.m. Central, the National Weather Service says.
The weather service says the threat of powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes will continue into the evening for Holly Springs and northern Mississippi.
Storms could also hit Kentucky, Tennessee, far southern Indiana, far southern Illinoi, southeast Missouri, eastern Arkansas and northwest Alabama
“An outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes is forecast today into tonight from the Ohio Valley into the Tennessee and lower Mississippi Valleys. The greatest risk for a few intense, long-tracked tornadoes will exist over western Tennessee into northern Mississippi and eastern Arkansas this afternoon into tonight,” the weather service says.
