Cell phones lit up with alarms and information at least three times Saturday as the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Lincoln County and the surrounding areas. Tornado sirens echoed through the City of Brookhaven warning of expected dangerous weather.

On Sunday, NWS had confirmed two tornadoes had moved through the area. One fatality was reported in Adams County and another in Lowndes County. At least 10 people were injured by the severe weather in Franklin, Simpson and Wayne counties.

O’Zion Baptist Church in Meadville, Franklin County, was destroyed by what NWS said was likely an EF-2 tornado. Two people had taken shelter in a bathroom of the church and were able to ride out the storm there. They were unharmed.

“When you climb up and look the only place you can clearly see the floor is the place where the two individuals had hunkered down,” said Pastor Lance Moak. “There is no debris in the area where they were at.”

Built in 1917, the church was destroyed by a tornado May 5, 1934, as well. The church members met outside under a tree for services the following Sunday. On Sunday, Dec. 29, members met outside the rubble and worshiped together once again, grateful that no one lost their lives.

From Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, 38 tornadoes were reported in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. A death was reported in North Carolina and another in Texas.

Preliminary assessments indicate that property was damaged in at least 14 Mississippi counties, Gov. Tate Reeves said Sunday.

Approximately 100,000 resident customers were without power Saturday, though that number had dropped to about 65,000 Sunday. Crews from multiple areas continue to work together to replace broken power poles, remove limbs and other debris, and restore power safely to homes and businesses.