Rescuers sift through debris in a desperate search for survivors

The recent deadly tornado that struck Mississippi has left schools closed and communities devastated. The superintendent of education at Amory Schools, Brian Jones, joined ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to discuss the impact of the tornado and how the community has been dealing with the aftermath.

Jones explained that the tornado was a violent EF-4, which is classified as having winds between 166 and 200 miles per hour. It hit the Amory community on March 19, 2023, leaving many families without homes or essential resources. He noted that the tornado destroyed the high school in Amory, leaving many students unsure of their future.

“The high school was completely destroyed, as well as several homes, businesses, and community centers,” Jones said. “This is the worst tornado we’ve experienced in this area in recent memory.”

Jones mentioned that his first priority was ensuring the safety and well-being of the students and staff at the school. “We immediately closed all schools in the district and sent out alerts to parents and community members about the tornado and school closures,” he said.

He went on to say that the district has been working closely with the Mississippi Department of Education and local authorities to assess the damage and determine the next steps.

“At this point, we’re still in the assessment phase. We’re working with FEMA and other organizations to get a better understanding of the extent of the damage,” Jones explained. “We want to make sure that we have a complete picture of the damage so that we can develop a plan to move forward.”

In the meantime, Jones and his staff have been working tirelessly to provide support to the students and families affected by the tornado. “We’ve been in constant communication with our families, making sure they have access to resources like food, water, and shelter,” he said. “We’ve been working with local organizations to provide support and counseling to those who have been impacted by this tragedy.”

Jones noted that the community has come together to support one another during this difficult time. “It’s been really heartwarming to see the way the community has come together to help each other,” he said. “People have been donating time, money, and resources to help those who’ve been affected by the tornado.”

He added that the district has also been receiving support from schools and organizations across the state. “We’ve had an outpouring of support from other school districts and organizations. They’ve been offering to help us in any way they can, which has been incredibly helpful,” he said.

Jones expressed gratitude for the support the district has received and emphasized the importance of continuing to work together to help those affected by the tornado. “This is a devastating event that has impacted many families and communities,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to support those affected, but we need everyone’s help to get through this.”

He went on to say that it will take time to recover from the damage caused by the tornado, but he’s confident that the community will come out stronger on the other side. “We may be knocked down, but we’re not out. We’ll get through this together,” he said.

In a statement released by the Amory School District, they confirmed that students will not return to school until further notice due to the tornado damage on the campuses. The district said that they are working closely with the Mississippi Department of Education, FEMA, and local authorities to assess the damage and determine the next steps.

“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” the statement said. “We will continue to provide updates to our families as we learn more about the extent of the damage and our plans for moving forward.”

The district also thanked the community for their support during this difficult time. “We’re grateful for the outpouring of support and love we’ve received from the community. It shows how strong and resilient our community is, and we know that we’ll get through this together,” the statement said.

In conclusion, the tornado that hit the Amory community has left many families without homes or essential resources, and schools in the district will not reopen until further notice due to the tornado damage. The district is working closely with the Mississippi Department of Education, FEMA, and local authorities to assess the damage and determine the next steps. Superintendent Brian Jones expressed gratitude for the support the district has received and emphasized the importance of continuing to work together to help those affected by the tornado. The community has rallied together to support one another during this difficult time, and while recovery will take time, they will come out stronger on the other side.