JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
At least 570 homes were destroyed or suffered major damage from the tornadoes and severe storms Sunday, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is sending teams to Mississippi to begin joint damage assessments with MEMA, local officials and members of the Small Business Administration, according to MEMA.
There were at least 80 people injured, two critically, but no reported deaths from the storms, according to MEMA.
After assessing the damage Monday, the National Weather Service increased the rating of Sunday's tornado in Hattiesburg to an EF-4 with maximum sustained winds of 170 MPH. The increased rating is due to the damage around Oak Grove High School and a housing area just to the southwest of there.
Another tornado in Marion County was rated an EF-2. That tornado spun off from the Hattiesburg tornado.
The Salvation Army is asking for donations to help those recovering from the tornadoes.
"We are in need of donations to support our response to the Hattiesburg tornadoes," writes Divisional Communications Director Mark D. Jones with the Salvation Army.
Learn more about the needed Hattiesburg tornado donations.
People interested in volunteering to assist with the clean-up are encouraged to sign up on the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service website or by calling 1-888-353-1793.
A record amount of rainfall for Sunday was also set in Jackson with 2.43" inches, Meridian received even more at 3.48" and Hattiesburg topped the list with 3.90".
Monday night, we are likely to still have plenty of rain in our area. The chance of showers continues during the overnight period with hit and miss isolated thunderstorms in the mix. Temperatures will drop to the mid to upper 40s overnight and winds shift ENE 5-10 mph. We'll still have an 80% chance of rain in the forecast during the evening hours.
Receive severe weather alerts on your Android or iPhone when you download the First Alert Weather Team mobile app.
Track the storms on the Interactive Radar as rain moves into your neighborhood.
More rain is expected Tuesday, yet again. We'll have to contend with problems of flash flooding in some areas. Flash flood advisories are likely to stay active along with additional flood warning along several river beds. Temperatures are going to climb into the mid 50s, and the chance of rain stays at an elevated 80% during the daytime hours. Winds will push out of the east at 6-11 mph.
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