Cleanup efforts in the Elliott Community started late Saturday afternoon after the final round of severe thunderstorms passed through the area.
Early that morning, a tornado carved a path of destruction that continued for miles, destroying everything in its path from homes, businesses and churches to the community’s infrastructure including, roadways, electricity, water and internet.
Linemen work to assess the damage to power poles and lines in the Elliott Community last Saturday afternoon. | Photo by Adam Prestridge © 2025 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
By late Saturday evening, Gov. Tate Reeves issued a State of Emergency in all counties – including Grenada County – affected by the severe storms that ripped through Mississippi late Friday night through early Saturday and continuing throughout the day. The State of Emergency was issued just hours after severe weather impacted at least 21 counties across the state.
“I’m heartbroken by the destruction and loss of life caused by these storms,” Gov. Tate Reeves said “The state of Mississippi will continue to utilize every available resource to support our fellow Mississippians in need. We are committed to helping them rebuild. We’re here for the long haul. Please join me in praying for the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones during this difficult time.”
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s preliminary reports indicate that there were six fatalities: one in Covington County, two in Jefferson Davis County and three in Walthall County. Additionally, three people are missing – two from Covington County and one from Walthall County.
A large residential area on McCormick Road in Elliott was hit hard by Saturday's tornado. | Photo by Adam Prestridge © 2025 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
According to Grenada County officials on the ground early Saturday morning, three people were injured in Grenada County and required hospitalization. MEMA has also received preliminary reports of 29 additional injuries statewide: 15 in Covington County, two in Jefferson Davis County, two in Pike County, and 10 in Walthall County. Life safety is the number one priority and damage assessments will begin soon.
The 21 counties including in MEMA’s preliminary storm damage report include, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Covington, Grenada, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Lauderdale, Lee, Leflore, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Pike and Sharkey.
Governor Reeves directed all state agencies to discharge their emergency responsibilities as deemed necessary and set forth in Mississippi’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
Elliott Baptist Church sustained extensive damage including its steeple being blown off during Saturday's tornado. | Photo by Adam Prestridge © 2025 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Governor Reeves’ State of Emergency can be found by clicking HERE.
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 by clicking HERE.
If citizens need something as a result of the storms, MEMA encourages them to contact their county emergency management agency. A list of contacts can be found by clicking HERE.
