50 Monroe County Homes Damaged By Christmas Flood

PRESS RELEASE

PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has now confirmed ten deaths from the severe weather that moved through the state starting Wednesday and continuing. The latest two deaths were those of missing people in Benton County that were found Saturday morning. There are no reports of any additional missing people and there were a total of 56 injuries reported. Six deaths occurred in Benton County, one in Coahoma County two in Marshall County and one in Tippah County.

Preliminary damage reports show 241 homes were destroyed or sustained major damage and more than 400 total homes affected. Damage assessments are ongoing.

Governor Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency for all affected areas of the state. The declaration allows local governments to request state assistance with response and recovery.

Severe storms are forecast for Sunday night through mid-Monday statewide as a strong cold front pushes through from northwest to southeast. Tornadoes are possible and residents are asked to remain weather aware.

Fifteen counties are reporting damage for severe weather Dec. 23-25:
Benton: 36 homes and two businesses destroyed/major. 17 homes and two businesses minor.
Calhoun: Flooded roads from 12/25.
Chickasaw: Flooded roads from 12/25.
Coahoma: 12 homes and two businesses destroyed two homes minor damage.
Itawamba: Flooded roads from 12/25.
Lafayette: Road flooded from 12/25.
Marshall: 89 homes and eight businesses destroyed/major. 82 homes and three businesses minor damage.
Monroe: 50 homes uninhabitable, 40 roads closed from flooding on 12/25. Shelter is open with two occupants.
Panola: Six homes and three businesses destroyed.
Prentiss: Two homes uninhabitable. Four roads closed due to debris.
Quitman: 18 homes, one business and one agricultural destroyed/major, nine homes minor damage.
Smith: Two agricultural buildings damaged from wind/tornado on 12/25.
Tallahatchie: Flooded roads from 12/25.
Tippah: 83 homes, five agricultural buildings and a fire station destroyed/major damage, 50 homes minor damage.
Wilkinson: Flooded roads from 12/25.

-more-
Shelters: One shelter is open Mississippi:
Monroe Co: Meadowood Baptist Church Gym, 1512 Hatley Rd, Amory.

Volunteers/Donations:
To volunteer or donate to help those affected by the storms, go to www.msdisasterresponse.org. You can register to volunteer or even make monetary donations.
Marshall County: Donations and volunteer reception center is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Building located at 235 N. Memphis St., Holly Springs.

The State Emergency Operations Center remains partially activated with key agencies to assist with the response and recovery to the storms. MEMA has deployed 890 tarps to affected counties.

MEMA will provide updates as information becomes available. The best way to get up-to-date information is to “Like” MEMA on Facebook, or “Follow” us on twitter.

###