Major tornado causes widespread damage in western Mississippi; tornado emergency continues

April 25th, 2010 - 1:18 am ICT by BNO News  

VALLEY PARK, MISSISSIPPI (BNO NEWS) — The National Weather Service (NWS) on Saturday issued a rare tornado emergency for a large tornado that is raging through western Mississippi. Widespread damage is being reported.

The tornado was first spotted around 11.35 a.m. CDT near Valley Park, an unincorporated community in Issaquena County. As of 1 p.m. CDT, the tornado was located near Durant, moving northeast at 55 mph. “National Weather Service meteorologists and storm spotters were tracking a large and extremely dangerous wedge tornado,” the agency said.

The tornado emergency - which is more severe than a tornado warning - is currently in effect for western Attala and southeastern Holmes counties. It is set to expire at 1.15 p.m. CDT but may be continued if necessary. People in the immediate area are urged to take protective action immediately, as this is an extremely dangerous tornado.

Major and widespread reports of damage were coming in from Yazoo County and surrounding areas, which appeared to be the worst hit area. Dispatch in Warren County reported that 30 houses were flattened in Eagle Bend, an unincorporated community northwest of Vicksburg.

Three miles north of Satartia, a village in Yazoo County, a home collapsed which left multiple people trapped inside, according to the NWS. A church was also destroyed at the corner of Highway 16 and Highway 49.

On the south side of Yazoo City, according to a storm chaser, numerous buildings were destroyed at highway 16 and Old Benton Road. Officials said scores of other buildings in Yazoo City had also been damaged or destroyed, leaving multiple people injured.

(DEVELOPING.)

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