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Space
Space
Science
Elizabeth Howell

Devastation from deadly Mississippi tornado spotted from space (satellite photos)

Maxar satellite imagery of the destroyed homes and businesses along Blues Highway in Rolling Fork, Mississippi after being hit by the March 24th, 2023 tornado. (Image credit: Satellite image (c) 2023 Maxar Technologies)

Haunting satellite imagery shows the aftermath of a severe tornado in Mississippi.

The small town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi was decimated yesterday (March 26) by a high-speed tornado that left at least 25 people dead, according to media reports. The community lies about 90 minutes north of Jackson and like many others, is facing more severe weather due to climate change.

Maxar satellites caught evidence of the destruction from Earth's orbit, revealing information that may assist with disaster recovery. The photos show homes, buildings and other infrastructure torn to pieces by the E-4 tornado on a pathway moving from the southwest to the northeast through Rolling Fork's heart.

Related: Climate change: Causes and effects

Maxar satellite imagery of the destroyed homes along Walnut and Mulberry Streets in Rolling Fork, Mississippi after being hit by the March 24th, 2023 tornado. (Image credit: Satellite image (c) 2023 Maxar Technologies)

Rolling Fork has a population of 1,883 with a median household income of about $38,500 in 2020, United States census numbers show. Roughly 20 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and most families identified themselves as Black or African-American.

Maxar satellite imagery of Walnut Street in Rolling Fork, Mississippi after being hit by the March 24th, 2023 tornado. (Image credit: Satellite image (c) 2023 Maxar Technologies)

The Washington Post noted that for many of these families, they have lost nearly everything and that despite commitments from all levels of government to help out, "everything that once stood for their lives is gone." Some of the town lived in rental housing without insurance, for example.

Maxar satellite imagery of the post office and county clerks office in Rolling Fork, Mississippi after being hit by the March 24th, 2023 tornado. (Image credit: Satellite image (c) 2023 Maxar Technologies)

Grants for temporary housing or for repairs are available in the region, which saw wind gusts of more than 166 mph (267 km/h). Given the amount of wreckage, the total numbers of casualties and the amounts of property damage are still being tallied.

Elizabeth Howell is the co-author of "Why Am I Taller?" (ECW Press, 2022; with Canadian astronaut Dave Williams), a book about space medicine. Follow her on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook.

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