State Of Emergency Declared In Tornado Ravaged MS

Mississippi Magee Gov. Haley Barbour has declared a state of emergency in Simpson County where a tornado shattered dozens of homes and flattened a church.

by The Associated Press

Published: Thu, March 26, 2009 - 10:31 am CST

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has
declared a state of emergency in Simpson County where a tornado
shattered dozens of homes and flattened a church early Thursday.
Barbour spokesman Dan Turner says the declaration allows
officials from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to step
in and assist residents. Agency officials are on the scene in the
town of Magee evaluating damage.
The twister was reported around 1:30 a.m., and swept through
Mississippi's pine-covered hill country as severe thunderstorms
rumbled across several Southeast states. Power blackouts affected
tens of thousands of Louisiana residents, and authorities reported
damage to some Alabama homes. Georgia residents also braced for
potentially heavy rains.
Dozens of buildings were damaged or destroyed and 17 people were
hurt in the early morning storm, including two who were airlifted
by helicopter to a Jackson hospital. There is no word on their
conditions.
Mayor Jimmy Clyde said authorities are attempting to restore power after
utility lines toppled on roads littered with tree branches and
metal scrap. Magee's 16-member police force fanned out before dawn
and kept up the work after daylight. He said homes in some areas
were "basically leveled" and there was extensive damage just
outside the city limits.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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