ROLLING FORK, Miss. (WJTV) – The City of Rolling Fork is still in the recovery process after last year’s tornado. City leaders and residents said they have a long way to go, but they’re proud of the progress being made.

“The good Lord came through here, and he didn’t care what color you were. Every tree got touched Every house got touched, big houses, nothing but concrete,” said Jackie Sias, a survivor.

The survivors of the March 2023 storms are resilient.

“It’s going to take some time. It’s going to take four, or five years. I don’t know if people are going to stay here and try to stay it out. People say, ‘Look, I’m going get my stuff, and I’m going. I don’t want to stay here. I don’t want to deal with this.’ But if it’s your roots, you know that you can make it,” said Sias.

There is a rebirth happening in the city. Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker said they have more than 20 projects in the works, including rebuilding City Hall and the fire department.

“Well, I think it’s important that we come together collectively as a governing body and focus on workforce investment, providing job opportunities in the city of Rolling Fork, Mississippi. It’s well-needed,” the mayor said.

Shietha Jackson, another survivor, is one of several Rolling Fork natives who will become a first-time homeowner thanks to the Rolling Fork Rising program.

“I think it’s amazing because we’ve had so many blessings from people all over the world to reach out and help Rolling Fork. And I think we’re just doing. We’re doing good,” Jackson stated.

“Private homes are being built back. Businesses that were totally destroyed are mostly built back out on Highway 61. So, the picture of where we are or where we were. It’s a lot better. It’s a lot better. We’ve got a long way to go, but I think all of us are really proud that we’ve gotten as far as we have at this point,” said Eldridge.