UPDATE:

PEARL, Miss. (WJTV) – Leaders with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reported the death toll has risen to 25 from Friday night’s tornadoes. Dozens of others are injured.

According to MEMA, the four people who were reported missing overnight have now been accounted for.

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid has enacted its state of emergency provision which allows fee-for-service beneficiaries affected by the tornadoes to receive early refills and additional prescriptions above the monthly limit. Pharmacy providers should follow the billing guidelines found at this link: https://medicaid.ms.gov/disaster-billing-directions/. Medicaid is directing its Coordinated Care Organizations’ pharmacy directors to enact their emergency procedures. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who have lost food due to a disaster must request a replacement at their local MDHS office within ten days of the disaster. Households can submit the replacement request using mail, email, or by using the upload feature on the MDHS website.

The Department of Mental Health is reporting one group home in Rolling Fork operated by the Region 6 Community Mental Health Center, Life Help, is reported to be spared from damage but the staff is working on placing the 14 clients living there in other residential programs. The Region 6 Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is responding to the community to bring supplies and respond to mental health needs encountered. MCRTs are available to provide services in the community for anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The DMH Helpline is also available for information and referral services and can be reached at 1-877-210-8513. 

Donations: 

The Rolling Fork National Guard/Civic Center is open and accepting donations. 

The Department of Public Safety, MEMA, and The Department of Agriculture have teamed together to accept donations of bottled water, canned goods, and paper products. 

The donation site is at the Armory at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. Donations will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. today. The site will be open Sunday through Tuesday 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. 

Mississippi Insurance Department: Molina mobile clinic will be set up at the Sharkey County Civic Center beginning Sunday. (3-26-23) 

MEMA is encouraging residents who can report their damage using MEMA’s Self-Report Tool.  #

PEARL, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reported at least 23 people were killed during Friday night’s tornadoes. The fatalities were reported in Sharkey, Humphreys, Carroll, and Monroe counties.

According to the agency, dozens of people are injured, and four people were reported missing as of 6:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 25.

Allie Jasper with MEMA said the National Guard Armory in Rolling Fork is opening to assist in sheltering operations. A FEMA Team is also en route to assist the state. Humphreys County is using its multipurpose building for shelter. 

Multiple task form teams and the Mississippi State Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) are working in Rolling Fork, Amory, and Monroe County. 

The American Red Cross will set up a shelter at the Greenville Multipurpose Center. The Red Cross is also providing food offering one thousand meals for breakfast, one thousand meals for lunch, and one thousand meals for dinner. 

“At least twenty-three Mississippians were killed by last night’s violent tornados. We know that many more are injured. Search and rescue teams are still active. The loss will be felt in these towns forever. Please pray for God’s hand to be over all who lost family and friends,” said Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.).

The governor said he plans to travel to Sharkey County on Saturday.

“After touring Rolling Fork and Silver City last night, I will be supporting a federal disaster declaration for all communities impacted. I witnessed firsthand the heroic efforts of our first responders,” said U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.).

According to Jasper, there is significant damage in Amory along Highways 6 and 25. Crews from Monroe County are unable to get into Amory from the south where their headquarters is located due to the number of power lines that are down across the road. Crews from Itawamba County are coming from the north to assess damage in Smithville and cut any trees across the road on their way to Amory. Crews from Lee and Chickasaw County are mobilizing to assist the Monroe and Itawamba crews.  

Amory leaders said the Amory Water Department suffered a direct hit from the tornado. Customers and citizens are under an emergency boil water alert until further notice.

There is also a good bit of tornado damage east of Winona mainly along Highway 407. Montgomery and Attala counties crews are out working to get it open as soon as possible. 

SR 826 near the fire department in Rolling Fork has closed due to a lowered power line. This small section is closed until crews can clear it. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is not involved in this closure. 

The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) is currently detouring big trucks around Rolling Fork due to low or damaged power lines to allow the power company time to repair them. 

Patients from Sharkey Issaquena Community Hospital were transferred to other hospitals and nursing facilities. The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) sent pediatric transport to Yazoo City to assist with three pediatric injuries. Covington County EMS sent ambulances to Rolling Fork. Pafford Ambulance Service is providing a mobile hospital and support staff at the Mississippi National Guard Armory in Rolling Fork.  

Atmos Energy has cut gas lines in Rolling Fork for the safety of all residents and first responders. Energy companies are asking the public to report any smell of natural gas to their energy company or 911. The number for the Atmos Emergency line is 866-322-8667.