Mississippi Tornado Causes Catastrophic Damage in Louin, 1 Fatality, 20 Injuries

(Photo : Scott Olson / Getty Images)
Louin, a town in Mississippi takes a "direct hit" from Sunday night's tornado. Photo shows a tornado event in a differet Mississippi location, March 2023.

A confirmed tornado left the small central Mississippi town of Louin with catastrophic property damage, killing at least one person and injuring 20 others.

Louin, Mississippi: 1 Fatality, 20 Injuries

Louin is a tiny village of 275 inhabitants located about 55 miles from Jackson, Mississippi. According to Becky Collins, the South Central Regional Medical Center vice president of marketing and community relations, at least one person died and 20 people were injured. The medical center is about a 45-minute drive from Louin,

Collins told AccuWeather that the majority of the 20 persons injured are in stable condition, and several were subsequently discharged from the hospital.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said that emergency officials are still searching since many locations are inaccessible by car due to downed power lines. Later, Reeves called for prayers for those affected as well as the team members who were out aiding their neighborhoods and fellow Mississippians.

Property Damage, Power Outage

Storm Chaser Brandon Clement was among the first to arrive on the site. Clement posted footage showing first responders and volunteers collaborating to pull individuals from the wreckage. Clement praised their efforts in saving victims. When the ambulances ran out, the rescuers began using a Humvee to take injured people to the hospital.

The entire magnitude of the destruction was visible when the sun rose on Monday. Several homes were without roofs, trees were pulled apart and toppled over, and debris was scattered everywhere, according to a drone video posted by Clement.

In addition to the residences wrecked at Louin, a poultry farm was severely damaged. Clement's video shows hundreds of hens in rows where their coops stood. Also, feed silos were destroyed, and trees encircling the property were cut in half.

According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, as of 7:50 AM CDT Monday, 49,000 customers in Central Mississippi were without power.

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Direct Hit From Tornado

According to the Louin Volunteer Fire Department, the neighborhood "took a direct hit" from a catastrophic storm on Sunday night.

At 11:16 PM CDT on Sunday, as a spinning thunderstorm neared the town of Louin, the National Weather Service (NWS) placed a tornado warning in effect over the area for the storm. The NWS verified the tornado was on the ground around 15 minutes later and advised citizens to take cover. The Louin Volunteer Fire Department advised residents to seek immediate shelter, AccuWeather reports

According to the Storm Prediction Center, at least five more tornadoes were confirmed in Mississippi on Sunday, in addition to hail and destructive wind gusts.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency provided information on how to prepare for tornadoes. The list includes staying in the lowest part of the house, staying away from doors and windows, evacuating mobile homes, staying away from widespan roofs, and never driving during a tornado because tornadoes can change direction quickly and lift and toss a vehicle in the air. When tornadoes strike, flash floods are also a threat, according to the agency.

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