At least 23 killed in Mississippi tornado, storms

At least 23 people have been killed after a tornado and severe storms swept through the US state of Mississippi.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) said there were “dozens injured” and four people missing as search and rescue teams combed through the destruction looking for survivors after the storm struck Silver City in Western Mississippi.

“Unfortunately, these numbers are expected to change,” it said, referring to the death toll.

Search and rescue operations were under way in Sharkey and Humphreys counties, about 110km (70 miles) north of state capital Jackson, according to broadcaster ABC.

“We have activated medical support – surging more ambulances and other emergency assets for those affected. Search and rescue is active,” Governor Tate Reeves said on Twitter, warning residents to “watch weather reports and stay cautious”.

President Joe Biden on Saturday vowed to provide emergency support for victims.

“The images from across Mississippi are heartbreaking,” he said in a statement. “We will do everything we can to help. We will be there as long as it takes.”

The rural towns of Silver City and Rolling Fork reported destruction as the tornado swept northeast at 113 kph (70 mph) without weakening, racing towards Alabama through towns, including Winona and Amory, into the night.

Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker told CNN that his town was essentially wiped out.

“My city is gone. But we are resilient and we are going to come back strong,” he said.

Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi said that the town of Rolling Fork, about half an hour southwest of Silver City, “really took a direct hit”.