The storm, which struck on the evening of March 24, was one of the most severe in recent memory. The tornado that touched down near Hattiesburg was estimated to be at least a mile wide and stayed on the ground for more than an hour. The destruction left in its wake was devastating.
Emergency crews worked throughout the night to search for survivors and assess the damage. Initial reports suggested that hundreds of homes and businesses had been destroyed, and numerous roads were either closed or impassible due to debris. The governor urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and to avoid driving unless it was an emergency.
As the sun rose on March 25, the full extent of the damage became apparent. Entire neighborhoods lay in ruins, with homes reduced to piles of debris and trees uprooted and flung across the landscape. Emergency services worked around the clock to clear roads and reach those in need, but the scale of the destruction made their job difficult.
The governor toured the affected areas and pledged his support to the communities affected by the storm. He praised the work of emergency responders and urged residents to remain vigilant in the coming days, warning of the potential for more severe weather.
