Homes destroyed, schools closed after severe storms hammer area

Schools are closed Thursday while power crews and emergency officials 
work to help bring life back to some level of normalcy after Franklin 
County was hammered by at least one possible tornado along various 
severe storms Wednesday night.

In early evaluations, Franklin County appeared to be the hardest hit 
among the counties suffering damage as a line of severe thunderstorms 
followed mostly Highway 84 from the Louisiana to Alabama state lines. As 
the storm traversed the state it weakened, causing less and less damage 
along the way.

According to reports, a possible tornado struck Garden City, damaging 
homes throughout that area. Emergency Management Agency officials said 
multiple homes were destroyed as a result of the severe storms.

Road closures and related issued forced the closure of schools in the 
Franklin County School District Thursday. Schools are expected to reopen 
at normal time on Friday.

Multiple power lines were down Wednesday night and portions of Highway 
98 were closed between Berrytown and Fenn's Grocery. Trees were also 
reported down in multiple areas of the county.

Emergency personnel were hampered Wednesday night as conditions were 
considered too dangerous to allow them out on the roads until the storm 
passed. Once the "all clear" was given, crews began to deploy to various 
parts of the county where there were reports of damage.

Crews were expected to be working the area on Thursday to assess damage 
and help with clean up efforts. Utility crews were also out trying to 
restore power.

Residents are asked to remain off roads if at all possible so that 
emergency and utility crews can work. In addition, Franklin County EMA 
officials need to assess the damage quickly in order to submit reports 
to the state for possible assistance.

Officials from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency are also 
expected to be in the county at some point to assess the damage.