Rev. Roy Oatis, pastor of James Hill Church, wears a surgical mask to protect himself from coronavirus, looking at piles of debris in front of what used to be his church.
“I was at home hosting a live-stream of our Easter service before I took shelter,” Otis said. “I didn’t realize how bad it was going to be.”
South Mississippi was devastated by 13 radar-confirmed tornadoes that caused 12 reported fatalities on Easter Sunday. About six counties reported fatalities and 30 more reported storm related damage. As of Tuesday, more than 500 homes were affected and thousands remained without power.
Roger Dyess, a disabled Carson resident, received severe damage to his home. His roof had been torn away, vehicles overturned and several trees surrounding his home fell. But with the help of family and volunteers, Dyess was able to begin repairs on his home. “This is all material things that can be replaced,” Dyess said. “I am just grateful to have people come out here and help me get things slightly back in order.”
Mississippi last saw a surge of tornados in 2011 which killed 23 people. Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency due to the severity of the storms and tornadoes.
A salvaged framed edition of the Prentiss Headlight.Tuesday, April 14, 2020 after Sunday’s tornadoes in Prentiss, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Roger Dyess sits in a chair near his home in Carson, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Roger has serious health problems and is unable to work on repairing his home. Several of his neighbors and other volunteers have been helping with his home repairs and salvaging items. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
True Payer lifts a sheet of tin to awaiting volunteers repairing the roof of Roger Dyess’ home in Carson, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
After Sunday’s tornadoes, volunteers help to repair the roof of Roger Dyess’ home in Carson, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Geneieve Magee looks for salvageable items at Roger Dyess’ home in Carson, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Damaged trees near Williamsburg Road in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A volunteer surveys tornado damage in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Collin Sanderson picks up debris at his grandfather’s home in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A fallen tree on a car at Roger Lee’s home in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Isaac Sanderson climbs over the debris from tornadoes at his grandfather’s house in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Roger Lee’s grandsons and their friends survey the damage at his home in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
From left: Collin Sanderson, Shaun Sanderson, D.J. McNeil, Charlie Leffler and Jayden Smith survey the damage of Roger Lee’s home in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A damaged vehicle rests in front of Roger Lee’s home in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Volunteers help remove fallen trees near Roger Lee’s home in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A damaged animal trailer in Carson, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Chris Walker, Jermaine Barnes and Jayden Buckhalter prepare to deliver water to tornado victims in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Chris Walker prepares to load his utility trailer with water for tornado victims in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Terrell Buckley in front of his mother’s home in Prentiss, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. The home was damaged during Sunday’s tornadoes. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
A cross remains on the wall of a destroyed home in Prentiss, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Bags of clothes cover the front yard of a home in Prentiss, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Lonnie Holloway, a member of James Hill Church, sits on a utility trailer in Prentiss, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Holloway stopped by the church to check on the well being of the pastor after Sunday’s tornadoes. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Luke Cook, left, and Reuben McDowell help clean up a site near James Hill Church in Prentiss, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Chairs from Jones Hill Church are salvaged after Sunday’s tornadoes in Prentiss, Miss. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Pastor Roy Oatis stands on in front of what was Jones Hill Church in Prentiss, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. The church was destroyed by a tornado on Sunday. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Reuben McDowell helps clean up the area around James Hill Church in Prentiss, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America 
Tornado damage in Prentiss, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America