. the storm prediction center upgrading the risk expecting more tornadoes in mississippi and alabama, and that includes areas like rolling fork, mississippi. already reeling after being obliterated by an e f four tornado overnight on friday. the death toll from this weekend storms rising to 26 president biden approving mississippi s disaster declaration, freeing up federal resources, and today, the head of fema and the department of homeland security. toward the damage alongside mississippi s governor, saying just this a short time ago. but we have come to do. we ve come to see it in person to communicate to the people of mississippi. that we are here, not just today, but for the long haul. it is heartbreaking to hear of the loss of life to see the devastation first hand. it is also as the governor expressed inspiring to see the people of mississippi come together. the president has directed us to be here. to assist the people of mississippi. to be here on an enduring basis,
people are heard in several homes destroyed after a tornado barreled through troop county this morning. look at the damage. this is what it looks like in the city of lagrange, about 70 miles southwest of atlanta, and you can see the storm snapped. power lines toppled trees to a lot of home damaged building damage and all that debris well, now it s creating a real mess on the roads as well and forcing officials to temporarily closed interstate 85 through the area while they tried to clear the highway. georgia s governor has issued a state of emergency in the wake of the severe storms, and so far there have been no reports of any fatalities. thankfully well, joining me right now is daniel evans. he is the president and publisher of lagrange daily news in georgia. daniel so good to see you. so tell us about what the city looks like beyond and we saw some of the images. i mean, it s a real mess, but give me an idea how people are combing through the debris navigating through the debris. ye