Rescuers sift through debris in a desperate search for survivors

Jones explained that the tornado was a violent EF-4, which is classified as having winds between 166 and 200 miles per hour. It hit the Amory community on March 19, 2023, leaving many families without homes or essential resources. He noted that the tornado destroyed the high school in Amory, leaving many students unsure of their future.

“The high school was completely destroyed, as well as several homes, businesses, and community centers,” Jones said. “This is the worst tornado we’ve experienced in this area in recent memory.”

Jones mentioned that his first priority was ensuring the safety and well-being of the students and staff at the school. “We immediately closed all schools in the district and sent out alerts to parents and community members about the tornado and school closures,” he said.

He went on to say that the district has been working closely with the Mississippi Department of Education and local authorities to assess the damage and determine the next steps.

“At this point, we’re still in the assessment phase. We’re working with FEMA and other organizations to get a better understanding of the extent of the damage,” Jones explained. “We want to make sure that we have a complete picture of the damage so that we can develop a plan to move forward.”