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Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas in the U.S. were hit by "a large, extremely dangerous" storm on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, leaving 11 dead, dozens injured, two missing and homes, an airport and public structures destroyed.
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency on Thursday, allowing local governments to access state recovery aid.
"Mississippians are resilient in difficult times, and we will meet this challenge head on for those that are in need,” said Bryant in a news release.
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Mobile home completely destroyed by tornado. Family of 5 were inside. All survived. pic.twitter.com/qMdorDKY3V
— NWS Memphis (@NWSMemphis)
December 24, 2015
A preliminary damage track from the exceptionally long-track, violent tornado today. Keep N. MS in your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/t8XNso7V6Y
— NWS Memphis (@NWSMemphis)
December 24, 2015
Among the victims were a 7-year-old, an 18-year-old and a baby who was hospitalized. Over 1,400 power outages were reported and several roads were closed after an estimated 17 tornadoes touched down, mostly in Mississippi and one in Michigan.
"If it is continuous it would be the longest track (December) tornado on record here in the mid-South," reported a Memphis office of the weather service.
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The full extent of the damage can only be evaluated after the storm passes, but thousands of homes are left in debris. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is leading the response and issued a flood warning until December 28.
The Atlanta airport also cancelled about 500 flights, according to Reuters.
Want to take shelter from a tornado under an overpass? Here's more proof it won't work. #MSwx #HollySpringsTornado pic.twitter.com/HWHExbGAx9
— Matt Laubhan, CBM (@WTVAmatt)
December 24, 2015
No question... Days like today can bring out the best in people. This man (one of them) is truly selfless. https://t.co/f6kxpUFGsM
— Matt Laubhan, CBM (@WTVAmatt)
December 24, 2015
