Damage caused to the town of Amory in Mississippi after a tornado hit it. (Photo: Facebook/ Matt Laubhan)
A meteorologist from a local news channel in the US state of Mississippi became visibly emotional and began to pray aloud to Jesus when he received information about an approaching tornado during a live broadcast.
“Dear Jesus, please help those people. Amen,” Matt Laubhan prayed before continuing to share the specifics of a tornado headed for the town of Amory.
At least 23 people were killed across Mississippi on Friday when a tornado hit several towns in this state. No deaths were recorded in Amory, however, despite the widespread devastation wrought here. The storm hit late Friday and flattened houses, trees and businesses in several towns, reports said The New York Times.
Laubhan, chief meteorologist for local news channel WTVA, briefed viewers on what to expect from a life-threatening tornado headed toward Amory.
“If we look at 65 km/h, the tornado should hit a few streets on the west side of Amory in less than two minutes. It is a life-threatening tornado that will either pass very close to the town, or move in through the northern part of it,” he says on camera.
“However, the reality is that this thing can change direction. So, Amory, you need to be in your tornado shelters.”
His words are barely cold when he seems to get new information confirming that the tornado has turned and is indeed going to hit the town. That is when he begins to pray.
????#WATCH: As a meteorologist Live on air from WTVA overwhelmed as a major tornado hits Amory, Mississippi
????#Amory | #Mississippi
⁰Heartbreaking video shows meteorologist Live on tv on WTVA overwhelmed as a major tornado hits the town of Amory after pic.twitter.com/ucaLXxSG8T…— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 25, 2023
Rescuers across Mississippi began pulling people out of the rubble Saturday morning. According to BBC more people are probably trapped under the rubble of collapsed businesses. The town of Rolling Fork in Sharkey County appears to have been the worst hit and according to reports it was practically leveled.
Experts say the tornado was particularly strong and threw debris more than 9 km away.
Watch a video of the devastation in Amory here:
