President Joe Biden has issued an emergency declaration in the wake of a devastating tornado that hit Mississippi and Alabama, killing dozens of people. The twister left a trail of destruction across several towns, with homes flattened, trees uprooted, and power lines downed.
"How anybody survived is unknown by me," said Rodney Porter, who lives 20 miles south of Rolling Fork, Mississippi – one of the hardest-hit areas. "It was like something out of a movie."
The National Weather Service confirmed that at least ten tornadoes touched down in the region on Thursday evening. The deadliest was an EF-4 tornado that struck near Newnan, Georgia – about 150 miles east of where Porter lives – which killed at least five people.
In response to the disaster, President Biden issued an emergency declaration for both Mississippi and Alabama. This will allow federal aid to flow to affected areas more quickly.
"Our hearts go out to all those who lost loved ones or whose homes were damaged or destroyed," said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. "We are committed to providing all possible assistance as quickly as possible."
Emergency responders have been working around the clock since Thursday night to search for survivors and clear debris from roads. Many residents remain without power or basic necessities like food and water.
"This is going to be a long road ahead," said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey during a press conference on Friday afternoon. "But we're resilient people here in Alabama and we'll get through it together."
As recovery efforts continue in both states, officials are urging anyone affected by the storm to seek help if needed.
"We want folks who need assistance with housing or other needs related to this disaster to reach out for help," said Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves during a briefing on Friday morning. "We're here for you."