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Rolling Fork tornado – How to help
Listen to this articleJust after 8 p.m. Friday night, a devastating tornado destroyed much of Rolling Fork.
“My town is gone,” said Orlon Smith. Smith grew up in Rolling Fork and now works at the Vicksburg Police Department. Smith pointed out areas where he used to play that were now debris fields full of twisted metal and wind-strewn cars.
13 people are known to be dead in Rolling Fork from the tornado and more bodies will be found. Rescue teams are pulling people from the collapsed homes and buildings. Teams will be working for the next couple of days before they are able to clear the entire area.
A police unit that took heavy damage. Photo by David Day
Countless government vehicles from all over the state are either in Rolling Fork now or are on their way there.
Law enforcement has blocked all entrances and exits to Rolling Fork. You most likely will not be allowed access to any of the damaged areas.
The water tower collapsed. Photo by David Day
The United Way is accepting water at their location on South Street until 4 p.m.
If you want to help, the United Way has set up a link to donate directly to the victims of the tornado. They’ve posted on their social media page, “The United Way of West Central Mississippi is now accepting monetary donations to assist with the recovery in the Rolling Fork Community. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of all dollars raised will go directly to the affected community. Please click on the link below, then click on ‘add a donation note/comment’. It is here that you need to notate ‘ROLLING FORK’ to ensure that 100% of your donation will go directly to those affected by this most recent disaster.”
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