The recent storms that passed through much of the South claimed the lives of at least 32 in Mississippi and injured hundreds more.  The tornadoes produced by these storms are unprecedented, and the destruction they caused is enormous.  My prayers are with the families of those who died and all those impacted.  Mississippians remain resilient, and we will overcome these difficulties as we have in the past.
Last week, I toured many of the areas that were hit hardest, including Smithville where the death toll stood at 14 as of Friday.  The utter devastation was undeniable as house after house was reduced to rubble, downed trees and debris remained in roadways, and power had not yet been restored.   Local first responders and volunteers took action quickly to help those in need, and their service is a vivid reminder of the spirit that makes Mississippi such a special place.

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