Deadly tornadoes struck across the Southeastern U.S.  on Saturday, causing damages so bad that Mississippi Governor  Haley Barbour called the destruction “Katrina-like.”

At least 10 people were killed in Mississippi alone, with storm damage reported from Missouri to Georgia.
Yazoo City, Mississippi, was particularly hard hit. Haley Barbour grew up in Yazoo and has a home north of the city.

Emergency responders combed the ruubble Saturbay night to ensure all of the storm survivors had been found.

Gregg Flynn of the MS Emergency Management Agency, said at least 2 of the dead were children.

The Salvation Army has dispatched mobile feeding units to Yazoo and Warren counties. In the meantime, emergency responders were continuing the send the most seriously residents injured in the storms to hospitals in Jackson.

“We’re serving hot meals, coffee, cold drinks and spiritual counseling,” Salvation Army Capt. Ken Chapman told the Clarion Ledger in Jackson. “We’re equipped to serve 1000s,” he added.

A state of emergency was ordered by the governor in 17 Mississippi counties. Haley Barbour also ordered the state National Guard to help local municipalities in emergency response efforts.

Although Mississippi appeared to have the most seriously damaged Saturday, severe weather was also reported in the St. Louis, Missouri, area and Louisiana. Winds up to 60 mph were reported in Cobb County, Georgia.