PEARL, Miss. (MEMA) – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) continues to respond to severe weather that impacted the state on May 6 and 7, 2026. The National Weather Service has confirmed that seven tornadoes touched down on May 6th, with the strongest being two EF3’s that struck Franklin and Lamar counties, but their surveys are continuing. Currently, there are approximately 5,360 power outages statewide, down from a high of approximately 20,100.
The following counties have submitted official damage reports to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. These numbers are preliminary and can change during the assessment process:
- Forrest County: 2 homes
- Franklin County: 1 injury, Damage Assessments ongoing
- Lamar County: 46 homes, 8 businesses, 4 injuries
- Lawrence County: Damage Assessments ongoing
- Lincoln County: 12 injuries, Damage Assessments ongoing
- Marion County: 3 homes
- Wilkinson County: 5 homes
Shelters remain open for residents displaced by the storms:
Lamar County Safe Room
99 Central Industrial Row
Purvis, MS 39475
Lincoln County Safe Room
1154 Belt Line Drive
Brookhaven, MS 39601
Donation centers have also been established to support survivors:
Bogue Chitto Fire Department
351 Bogue Chitto Road SE
Bogue Chitto, MS 39629
Open 8 am to 5 pm
East Lincoln Fire Department
3347 East Lincoln Road SE
Brookhaven, MS 39601
Open 8 am to 5 pm
MEMA continues coordinating response and recovery efforts with local, state and volunteer partners and has delivered tarps to Lawrence, Lamar and Lincoln counties. Volunteer organizations are also on hand, working to help survivors. Residents are strongly encouraged not to sightsee in affected areas. Downed power lines, unstable trees, floodwaters, and emergency equipment create dangerous conditions. Unnecessary traffic slows emergency operations and puts both the public and responders at risk.
Residents who sustained storm damage are encouraged to:
- File insurance claims as soon as possible.
- Take photographs of all property damage.
- Report damage through MEMA’s self-reporting tool.
Individuals needing assistance related to the storms are encouraged to contact their county emergency management agency. A list of county emergency management contacts is available on the MEMA website.
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