MADRID, 26 March (EUROPA PRESS) –
U.S. authorities reported Friday that the death toll rose to 26 in the states of Mississippi and Alabama due to the passage of multiple hurricanes during the day.
Emergency services reported that 25 of the victims were in Mississippi, with dozens more injured. Additionally, one person died in Alabama, bringing the total death toll to at least 26.
Having declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, Mississippi governor Tate Reeves celebrated the “strong spirit” of the state’s residents.
“The scale of the damage and loss is evident everywhere impacted today. Homes, businesses… entire communities,” he complained via his Twitter profile.
“Answer, heal, rebuild together. That’s the mission,” he said. “I was incredibly inspired by how the Mississippians came together at this tragic time,” he added.
However, the state Emergency Management Agency said the death toll could rise given the scale of the search and rescue operations currently being conducted in Sharkey and Humphreys counties.
Meanwhile, United States President Joe Biden commemorated the victims after “discouraging” footage from Mississippi. “We are still assessing the extent of the damage, but we know that many of our compatriots are mourning their family and friends or losing their homes and jobs,” he said.
Source: Noti Merica
