Residents assessing storm damage after tornado ripped through Vancleave

Damage assessments are underway in Jackson County after a tornado ripped through Vancleave.

Late Wednesday night, Foxridge Drive residents took cover as a confirmed tornado tore through their street. Resident James Hixenbaugh said, “The only warning we did get was the thunder and the lightning, it was real loud. The next thing you know I heard the train coming.”

Resident David Lewis said, “You could feel everything is shaking and rocking and everything hitting the sides of the walls and before you knew it, it was over.”

The horrifying weather event that only lasted minutes leaves behind a hefty workload for residents. Eager to rebuild their homes, you could hear chainsaws cutting apart fallen trees early Thursday morning. “I got some roof damage, missing front porch, my power pole is gone. My generator is in my shed, which is flipped over with a tree. I’m trying to make it as best as I can.”

Multiple homes were damaged by last night’s tornado. One trailer was completely ripped in half. The owners haven’t moved in yet, they were in the process of repairing the home and hoping to move in by the end of the year, but now the likelihood of that happening looks slim. Jackson County Emergency Services District Chief Anthony Johnson said, “For the storm that came through, it’s not as bad as we thought it would be. Right now, dealing with four severely damaged homes, one destroyed, and quite a few moderates. This is a blessing in disguise, there were no injuries, no deaths.”

Despite the devastation, residents will tell you they’re lucky, calling it a miracle that no one was hurt.

If your property was damaged from last night’s storm, contact your county MEMA officials via the self-report tool.

Residents looking for more information on resources can contact the county EMA or call MEMA at 1-800-445-6362.