Tornado Destroys Mississippi Town

Heavy fog and general storm damage have been slowing rescue efforts as authorities try to reach those who may have been wounded or killed during yesterday's tornado. Because of the fog, no helicopters have been permitted to fly over the damaged areas to assess where people may need immediate help or where resources and supplies should first be allocated.

The mayor of the town, Jimmy Clyde, told the Today Show that the town was hit very hard by the tornado and that the water supply was damaged to an extent that is still unknown. Clyde described the situation as "dire straits."

The town church was completely destroyed by the high winds of the storm and it was there that several members of the community gathered to try to assess the damage and try to figure out what to do next. With homes and businesses destroyed, the process of rebuilding will be long and difficult. And all of it must take place with the knowledge that the location of the town will always leave it susceptible to these types of catastrophic weather events.

More thunderstorms and tornado-conducive conditions are expected throughout today and into tomorrow, with Louisiana and Alabama also in danger of severe storm damage.