Storms wreck final weekend of 2024

Large amounts of damage were reported around Franklin County after 
severe storms and tornadoes rolled through the area over the weekend.

Storms began to hit the area Friday afternoon before things called down. 
Those storms turned out to be just an appetizer for what hit the area 
Saturday in the late afternoon and during the evening.

Berrytown seemed to be the heaviest hit, with multiple homes and a 
church destroyed and leveled. 

Old Zion Baptist Church on Berrytown Road was destroyed but a couple 
inside was able to escape the destruction without injury.

Rick and Dianne Strawbridge left their home near the church when the 
weekend storms headed their way. The couple went into a basement in the 
church for protection.

Less than 10 minutes later, they heard the tornado coming toward the 
church. By the time the storm passed, they saw debris all around them 
but had no damage in the small space they were standing in while the 
building fell around them.

In a related matter involving the church, some files in the office were 
destroyed and paperwork was strewn throughout the church grounds. Two 
cancelled checks --- including one from August 1984 --- were carried by 
the storm to remote locations. One check was found more than 80 miles 
from the church while another check was reportedly found in the Brandon 
area.

Houses on Lucien Road were also destroyed. Ernest Thomas and his wife 
were in one bathroom of the home while their daughter was in the other 
bathroom when the tornado hit the structures.

His brother, Glen Thomas, lives near him and his his home was also 
heavily damaged. The truck he drives for Herring Gas was parked across 
the road from his home and the storm knocked the large truck on its side 
and pushed it into his driveway.

At least two people were taken to the hospital after storms passed 
through the county Saturday, according to Mississippi Emergency 
Management Chief Communications Officer Malary White.

Utility crews were seen around the Lucien area late Sunday trying to 
restore power for residents. Thousands of customers throughout the area 
suffered at least some type of power outage as the storms rolled through 
the area.

According to a post from Entergy Mississippi, tornado activity took down 
a transmission structure Saturday night, with crews continuing to work 
on Monday to restore power. For updates, check the damage assessment 
view in Entergy's View Outage Map at enter.gy/6180vk0ea.

Emergency Management Agency officials were being joined by state EMA 
officials to assess damage on Sunday, with those assessments expected to 
continue this week. Officials with the National Weather Service are also 
expected to visit the area to determine which storms were actual 
tornadoes and to gauge the strength of them.

Mississippi Emergency Management encouraged residents who received 
damage to:

* File an insurance clime.

* Take photos of the damage to the home or structure.

* Report damage to the county MEMA offices.

Videos posted to social media showed definite funnel clouds forming and 
even touching down. One such video from the United Cajun Navy shows the 
funnel cloud on the ground and crossing Highway 84 in the Lucien area. 
The video shows a truck being lifted off the ground.

While assessments were being made, local churches and organizations were 
rallying to support those hurt by the storms.

The Bude Community Foundation was providing complimentary bread and 
snacks to local churches or establishments supporting families affected 
by the storm. For more information, call 601-384-2008.

First Baptist Church of Bude had clothing, cleaning supplies and 
available showers for those in need due to the storms. Anyone needing 
assistance is asked to call Brother Tyson at 601-384-6118.

The church was also accepting donations of items to assist storm 
victims. Items being asked for include clothing, hygiene items, 
blankets, cleaning supplies, towels, rags, pillows, toothpaste, 
toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair brushes, 
combs, ponytail holders, toilet paper, feminine products, baby wipes and 
other related items.