26 die in tornado terror

Rescue operation after massive storm leaves trail of devastation

- LEAH WILLINGHAM

AT least 26 people were killed after a deadly tornado ripped through the Mississippi Delta at the weekend.

Dozens of others were injured as the massive storm tore into several towns on its hour-long path.

One man was killed after his trailer home flipped several times in Alabama. Search and recovery crews yesterday resumed the daunting task of digging through the debris of flattened and battered homes, commercial buildings and municipal offices after hundreds of people were displaced.

The twister flattened entire blocks, obliterated houses, ripped a steeple off a church and toppled a municipal water tower.

Even with recovery just starting, the National Weather Service warned of a risk of more severe weather yesterday including high winds, large hail and possible tornadoes - in eastern Louisiana, south central Mississippi and south central Alabama.