The National Weather Service has confirmed that 22 tornadoes swept through Mississippi as part of a storm system that spanned multiple states on Saturday, Dec. 28.
A report from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency shows damage reported in at least 18 counties.
So far, the two deaths and at least 10 injures related to the twisters were confirmed, according to Gov. Tate Reeves. A tree reportedly fell on a home in Natchez and another death was reported in Lowndes County.
Thousands were left without power across the state, and the Entergy Mississippi power outage map is still showing some areas in the dark as of about noon Tuesday, Dec. 31. An update issued Monday showed that initially 45,000 were in the dark after the storms. Progress has been made, and most of the remaining 11,400 who were still without power were expected to be back on the grid by Tuesday night.
“Our staff is working with county EMA directors to complete damage assessments. Every disaster starts local and ends local. State resources have been provided to the counties that have requested assistance,” MEMA said in a news release.
The NWS in Jackson has confirmed 56 tornadoes this year in Mississippi.
Mississippi No. 1 for tornadoes? There’s more to it than you may think
What counties have reported tornado damage?
Preliminary damage reports for the deadly tornado outbreak include:
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Adams: 20 homes, 1 death.
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Amite: 4 homes, 1 business, 1 farm.
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Clarke: 15 homes, 1 business.
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Franklin: 14 homes, 2 businesses, 1 farm.
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Jackson: 10 homes, 1 business.
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Lowndes: 1 home, 1 death.
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Oktibbeha: 6 homes, 19 apartments, 5 businesses.
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Rankin: 17 homes, 3 apartments, 1 business.
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Wayne: 33 homes, 1 business, 1 farm.
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Wilkinson: 2 homes, 1 apartment.
A history of twisters: Tornadoes in Mississippi since 1950
How can I report tornado damage?
People and businesses can use the MEMA self-report tool online. If you have immediate needs, MEMA suggests contacting your local county emergency agency.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: NWS: 22 tornadoes hit Mississippi Saturday. Here’s what we know.