MISSISSIPPI — An emergency management official in Wilkinson County says multiple people were trapped and dozens of trees were down after a tornado moved through the county Wednesday night.
The damage was concentrated in the Garden City and Perrytown areas in the northern part of the county.
Several residents became trapped after trees blocked roads and surrounded homes.
Two people were attempting to flee the storm when a tree fell and blocked them in, officials said. Another family near Oak Grove Church in the Perrytown area was also unable to leave because of fallen trees.
The Fifth District supervisor had been notified and was working to reach those trapped as quickly as possible.
As of Wednesday night, no injuries had been reported.
Earlier in the evening, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said there had been reports of multiple tornadoes across Central and West Mississippi. Reeves said state officials were coordinating with local emergency managers while the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency worked to respond to the severe weather.
Scott Simmons, communications director for MEMA, said damage had been reported in six counties, including Lincoln, Franklin, Adams, Pike, Walthall and Lamar counties.
Officials in Lamar County said the county’s Emergency Management building sustained damage and was operating on generator power. Authorities there also reported numerous downed trees and structural damage after a tornado reportedly tracked from Baxterville to north of Purvis.
Emergency officials urged residents to stay off the roads and avoid sightseeing so crews could continue damage assessments and response efforts safely.
