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2 dead, 10 injured during severe storms in Mississippi

By Kaitlin Howell Dec 30, 2024 | 11:42 AM

PEARL, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) said two people have died and 10 others were injured during the severe storms on Saturday, December 28.

According to MEMA, damage assessments are ongoing. Twenty counties are reporting damage from the storms. Residents in need of assistance can call their county emergency management office.

The following is preliminary and will change through the assessment process. The following counties have reported they have received storm damage:

  • Adams – 17 homes, 1 death
  • Clay – 28 homes
  • Jackson – 10 homes, 1 business
  • Leake – 1 home
  • Lowndes – 1 death
  • Oktibbeha – 6 homes, 19 apartments, 5 businesses
  • Perry – 1 home
  • Smith – 9 homes, 3 farms
  • Rankin – 11 homes, 3 apartments
  • Warren – 1 home
  • Wayne – 33 homes, 1 business, 1 farm
  • Wilkinson – 2 homes, 1 apartment
  • Yazoo – 8 homes, 2 farms

The victim in Adams County was identified as Tykeria Rogers, 18. She was a senior at Natchez High School and was set to graduate in May. She died when a tree fell on her home on Westwood Road.

According to the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC), the second victim was identified as Geneva Karr, 68, of Lowndes County. They said she died early Sunday morning following a power outage during the recent storms.

“The Mississippi Public Service Commission wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms. Geneva Karr who tragically passed away after losing power at her home during the recent storm while dependent on home oxygen. This heartbreaking incident serves as a distressing reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by many residents during extreme weather conditions,” the commissioners said. “This devastating event underscores the necessity for enhanced preparedness and responsiveness in our communities, particularly for those with critical medical needs. We urge communities to come together in solidarity during such crises. We encourage neighbors to check on one another, especially those who may be vulnerable or reliant on medical devices.”

The following counties have reported they have received storm damage but have not given specific numbers to MEMA:

  • Amite, Copiah, Clarke, Desoto, Franklin, Lincoln, and Simpson

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/MEMA via the self-report tool.