National Guard Assists after Tornado

Pine Belt residents and business owners picking up the pieces after a deadly tornado says it lifts their spirits to the see the Mississippi National Guard lending a hand.
More than a dozen members of the 890th Engineer Battalion, which is based in Gulfport, spent today in Petal and Hattiesburg providing assistance to the police departments.
Guardsmen are directing traffic and also manning checkpoints for areas restricted to property owners and emergency crews. Soldiers also stood watch over some heavily damaged businesses to prevent looting.
Business owners and employees at a shopping center said shortly after the tornado hit, they were targeted by thieves coming to take what little they have left so they are thankful for the guard’s presence. Superior Vape Company Owner Nicolas Mullins said, “Just plundering through seeing what they could find and just take for themselves. If you wanted something left over you could have at least asked and I would have gave it to you. The way the world is now, your house could be on fire and people would steal the stuff out of your backyard. Just the way it is. It means the world for these guys to sit here and not let people just take your stuff.”
Guardsmen from Laurel, Philadelphia, and Camp Shelby are also providing support to the Petal Police Department with traffic control and presence patrol operations.