Several residents are still recovering after a tornado slammed parts of Tate County earlier this month.
The twister, rated an EF-3 by the National Weather Service, came roaring through during the early morning hours Thursday, April 3, demolishing and damaging residences in Yesterday’s South subdivision on Brownsferry Road south of Strayhorn.
Multiple trees were toppled throughout the county causing widespread power outages lasting a day or two for some residents. Property damage was found in areas near Stage, Veazey, Cypress Corner, Rifle Range, Oakdale Lane and Peyton Roads among many others.
Volunteers grabbed chainsaws and other tools to assist county fire departments and local public works crews in removing trees from roadways. Residences and businesses were also without electricity for several hours before Entergy and Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association saturated the area with linemen from across Mississippi to quickly restore power.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Association (MEMA) said two people were injured and damage to 48 homes and one farm was reported in Tate County after some areas were hit by severe winds of up to 165 miles per hour. Marshall County received the most damage in Mississippi with 88 homes and one business damaged.
MEMA reported 414 homes were damaged statewide while 14 businesses and 20 farms were also affected. Of the homes impacted, 54 were destroyed and 68 sustained major damage.
The storms began the afternoon of Wednesday, April 2 kicking off a four-day weather system that wreaked havoc in north Mississippi, west Tennessee and eastern Arkansas. The National Weather Service confirmed at least 14 tornadoes touched down in the Magnolia State.
Senatobia Main Street Chamber of Commerce is spearheading a drive to collect supplies for Tate County victims of the severe weather. Residents began stopping by Senatobia Fire Station No. 1 on Front Street Friday, April 4, to grab water, food, diapers, storage tubs and other items. Meals were also available to people whose homes were affected by storms.
Items are still being collected and can be dropped off Station No. 1 during the day. Some of the most-needed commodities are cleaning supplies, mold and mildew remover, bleach, pump sprayers, insect repellent and fast-food gift cards.
