Tornadoes have been hitting the Great Plains, the Midwest, the South, and even the Northeast this year with an intensity that hasn’t been seen since 2008, which had the highest number of tornadoes on record at 523.
This year there have been 478 tornadoes across 25 states and over 70 deaths.
Mississippi was one of the hardest hit by the massive storms and tornadoes, killing 25 people.
Here are 4 things you should know:
1. Monster tornado strikes with massive death and destruction
The National Weather Service labeled the massive tornado as a category EF-4—The worst is a EF-5.
The tornado winds were clocked in at up to 200 miles per hour, and left a destructive path stretching over 170 miles.
Whole neighborhoods were wiped out of existence. 25 people died, 55 were injured, and 2,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Most of the town of Rolling Fork was wiped off the face of the earth.
2. A meteorologist prays on air
Local meteorologist Matt Laubhan, overwhelmed by the devastation being filmed during his live broadcast, began to pray on air as the tornado slammed into a heavily populated area.
“Dear Jesus, please help them. Amen,” he prayed.
3. Faith in the middle of an unimaginable storm
In the aftermath of the storm, despite the death toll and destruction, many residents took time to go to church that Sunday.
Rolling Fork United Methodist Church held service and many residents thanked the Lord that they were alive.
The Church’s Pastor Mary Stewart said, “I’m grateful that we can spend this time together on the Lord’s day, on Sunday, and thank him for bringing us through the storm.”
One of the congregants, Marlon Nichols said, “God miraculously spared his family.”
They were at the local high school for the prom on Friday night, and that kept them safe. He said he was happy to be alive, even though his home was destroyed.
The mayor of the town was also grateful. “Miracles,” he told reporters. “This is the Bible belt, and we were all taught that a family that prays together stays together… And this is a family, a family of unity and strength.”
4. Helping the victims
As usual, Samaritan’s Purse was on the scene before the government.
Disaster relief supplies and equipment were on their way to the most devastated areas immediately. And humanitarian relief was sent within hours.
The group is coordinating their efforts with local emergency management and churches to assess the people’s needs and plan a response.
Grass roots and Christian organizations are now collecting food, water, clothing, and raising money for the victims of this tragedy.
Samaritan’s Purse is mobilizing staff and equipment, and enlisting volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of the tornadoes if you’d like to help.
If you can help financially, click here for the donation page.
[Click the link HERE, if you’d like to help with a donation]
Samaritan’s Purse has set up stations at the following locations in Mississippi:
ROLLING FORK/SILVER CITY
Lake Washington First Baptist Church
1068 Lake Washington Rd E
Glen Allan, MS 38744
AMORY
First Assembly of God Amory
521 Tschudi Road
Amory, MS 38821
[Click HERE to watch the incredible and heartfelt video of the weatherman praying]
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