A tornado is a storm unlike any other. It is tall and narrow. Tornadoes are smaller in size than hurricanes. But their powerful winds can move quickly. That’s what happened in Mississippi and Alabama on March 24.
The tornado lasted for more than an hour. It tore through about 170 miles (273 km) of land. It destroyed buildings and cars. At least 26 people died. Most of the damage was in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.
The storm was a 4 on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale. That system rates tornadoes 0–5. It is based on wind speed and damage. EF-5 is the most powerful. Friday’s EF-4 is one of the worst tornadoes to hit Mississippi.
Still, the state’s people are powerful too. They are helping each other and cleaning up. Emergency workers jumped into action to keep people safe. Later, set up stations. They gave out food, water, clothes, and more. Roofers fixed houses. And companies hurried to get electricity back on where it went out.
U.S. President Joe Biden approved a disaster . That act will let Mississippi get more money. Other officials visited the hit cities. U.S. Congressperson Bennie Thompson was there. So was Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves.
“When there’s a , Mississippians respond quickly and ,” Reeves said. “Mississippi is strong. And we’re ready to rebuild!”
Updated March 27, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Ashley Morgan
