ATLANTA, Dec. 26 (UPI) — Mississippi reported an additional death in the wake of this week’s severe weather in the Midwest and Southeast regions, raising the regional death toll to 15.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reported the additional death in a statement Friday and news of a missing person reported in Benton County. A total of two missing people have been reported in the area.
About 60 reported injuries and eight Mississippi fatalities have been reported to the MEMA as a result of recent weather. “Four deaths were reported in Benton County, two in Marshal County, one in Coahoma County and one in Tippah County,” the agency said.
In addition to Thursday’s severe weather, which reportedly prompted at least 14 tornadoes, another tornado touched down in Birmingham on Friday soon after Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency.
No fatalities were reported as a result of the latest tornado, although The New York Times reports about six houses were affected, two completely destroyed.
The National Weather Service predicts Oklahoma and Arkansas and nearby areas will see almost 12 inches of rain over the weekend as a system of severe weather continues to move east.
On Thursday, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency after the tornado.
