FREE CONTENT — MEMA releases preliminary damage assessments

Officials with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency released preliminary damage reports as crews continue to respond to Wednesday night's severe weather.

One person in Franklin County has been reported as being injured in the storms that may have included a tornado in Franklin County. No fatalities have been reported in the county or the state. There are reports of homes damaged, roads closed due to debris and power outages. As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, according to MEMA, there were 15,643 power outages statewide. 

Franklin County has already submitted a preliminary damage report, officials stated, and the numbers will likely change as further reports and assessments are received.

MEMA is continuing to coordinate response efforts and ensure that all essential needs of citizens are met. The priorities are to double check structures for people, clear roadways and get a better understanding of the total impact. Multiple volunteer strike teams are out assisting in Franklin and Lincoln Counties. MEMA staff are on the ground in counties to assist in command and response activities at the request of local Emergency Managers.

Residents are strongly encouraged not to sightsee in affected areas. Downed power lines, unstable trees, floodwaters and emergency equipment create dangerous conditions. Unnecessary traffic slows emergency operations and puts both the public and responders at risk.

MEMA encourages residents who've sustained damage from this severe weather event to do the following:

• File an insurance claim.

• Take photos of the damage to the home.

• Report damage to county emergency management officials or MEM.

IF citizens are in need of something as a result of the storms, MEMA encourages them to contact their county emergency management agency.