Tornadoes and high winds destroy Rolling Fork, Mississippi
Tornadoes and severe storms destroyed the mostly Black town of Rolling Fork, where Muddy Waters was born, knocking over homes, and businesses and leaving survivors devastated by the damage.
An estimated 26 people were killed by the tornadoes and high winds in Rolling Fork and the surrounding areas of Silver City and Winona Friday night as storms drilled through one of the poorest regions of the rural South.
President Joseph Biden declared the state a major disaster area and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in all affected areas.
President Biden’s action releases federal funding to counties in Carrol, Humphreys, Monroe, and Sharkey.
The tornado uprooted trees, dropping them on cars and onto the rooftops of homes and businesses.
The assistance can cover temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the devastation.
The population of Rolling Fork is 1,392 and is just over 79 percent Black. There are 423 Whites who live in Rolling Fork.
Residents and business owners can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling
1-800-621-3362.