We are pausing our live coverage for now - thank you for staying with us. Our writers today were James Gregory and Jemma Crew, the editor was Fiona Nimoni.
Recovery will take 'years and years'
Sophie Long
in Rolling Fork
Anthony Staples manages 14 apartment buildings - all of which were destroyed.
He says: "No money to rebuild. The insurance will pay some of the money but will not be enough to cover the replacement costs to restore and rebuild it as it was - you would never get that kind of money."
He fears it will be "years and years" before Rolling Fork recovers.
"The town will recover eventually but that will be years and years down the road," he tells the BBC.
"I don’t know if they’ve declared it as a disaster area.
"I don’t know, but if the Federal Government comes in with funding it would help with the rebuilding process, but regardless it will take years and years and some of the people who have been dislocated - they’re not going to return."
Red Cross volunteers
The American Red Cross has thanked volunteers for helping and has given information on how those affected by the tornado can access help.
Listen to Governor Reeves talk about how inspired he is by Mississippians and how proud he is to represent them.
Video content
Video caption: US tornado: Governor 'proud to be a Mississippian'US tornado: Governor 'proud to be a Mississippian'
Why was the tornado so destructive?
Our colleague, Nadine Yousif, has written about the unusual and powerful tornado, and why it has left storm chasers and meteorologists in shock.
"One factor that contributed to the devastation in Mississippi is the timing that the storm rolled in.
"It hit the town of Rolling Fork around 20:00 local time (02:00 GMT), and the NWS only issued a tornado warning about 20 minutes prior.
"Studies have shown that night-time tornadoes can be twice as deadly as those that occur during the day, partly because they are hard to see coming."
Record setting winter of extreme weather
The latest tornado outbreak in Mississippi is only the latest in an active winter of extreme weather in the southern US.
There was a preliminary total of 168 tornadoes across the US in January - the second highest number on record. Alabama led all states with 49 tornadoes between January and February.
Yet tornado season in the southern US states hasn't even officially peaked. April, May and June tend to be the most active months for severe weather and tornadoes in the region.
Two priorities for communities
During the press conference, Reeves said there are two priorities for those affected by the tornado.
Potential housing for displaced residents in the short, medium and long-term once the debris is cleaned up
Small business assistance including at a federal level
Press conference comes to an end
The press conference has now come to an end.
Stick around as we will continue to post more information, reaction and comments as they come through.
Housing will be 'one of the major issues'
FEMA's Deanne Criswell warns that housing will be one of the major long-term issues arising from the tornado.
She says the American Red Cross is on the ground and providing shelter, while family, extended family and neighbours are opening up their homes to help people stay safe right now.
“We know that this is going to be a long-term recovery event, and we can see just where we are standing here, that one of the major issues we are going to face is housing, and how do we help the individuals that have been impacted by this horrific event?"
'Know how you're going to get information'
FEMA's Deanne Criswell says it is vital that people know how to get information when it comes to future storms.
"Know how you're going to get information, know what your actions are going to be to protect yourself and your family," she says.
Potentially severe weather to come, Reeves warns
Reeves is warning of potentially severe weather to come later
in the day.
He says: “What we’ve seen, much like the storm that occurred
Friday night, is in the 24-36 hours that are leading up to this afternoon, it
appears that the risks seem to be getting worse and worse, not better.
“And when you stand here and see this, what feels like a beautiful weather day in Mississippi, please be aware and please know: if you
are south of I-55 in Mississippi today there are significant risks. We are
prepared.”
'This is a family' - Rolling Fork mayor
Mayor of Rolling Fork, the town which is among the worst-affected in Mississippi, says it will come back "bigger and better than ever before" to rounds of applause.
Eldridge Walker says he wants to make sure displaced families are being taken care of.
He says he has lost "personal friends" in the tornado.
He thanks the volunteers, some of whom have come from as far away as Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee.
"A family that prays together, stays together. This is a family," he says.
"I'm not only just the mayor of this community, but I've lost personal friends. I'm also the local funeral director. Now I'm having to meet those who have lost loved ones and help them make it through. I'm a firm believer that when you do right, right will follow."
'Make sure federal family does whatever they can to support these communities'
Deanne Criswell, administrator from FEMA, says she spoke to
the president yesterday to update him.
She says: “He was very clear to me all the time: make sure
that the entire federal family does whatever they can to support these
communities”.
Secretary Mayorkas pledges help
Secretary Mayorkas continues: "The president has directed us to be here to assist the people of Mississippi, to be here on an enduring basis, not just on a response but in the recovery as well. We are here for the time it will take."
He warns that the frequency of severe weather events will increase and communities need to be prepared for them in the future.
'Inspiring'
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has just been speaking at the press conference.
He says we are here to communicate with the people of Mississippi that we are here "not just today but for the long haul".
He adds: "It is inspiring to see the people of Mississippi come together... and the people of this country come together to assist those in dire need."
Reeves 'proud to be a Mississippian'
Reeves takes a moment to personally thank volunteers.
He says: “What we’ve seen over the last 36 hours in Mississippi
the one hand has been heart-breaking to see the loss and devastation of these
communities, but on the other hand has been inspiring, and gives me great reason
for optimism, and quite frankly makes me damn proud to be a Mississippian.
“Because Mississippians have done what Mississippians do.
“In times of tragedy, in times of crisis, they stand up and
they show up, and they’re here to help themselves, help their neighbours.”
"We're going to do everything we can"
Reeves says people have lived in this community for decades and want to continue doing so.
"I can assure you we're going to do everything we can through housing and other means to get these people back in this community as quickly as we possibly can," he says.
Help is on the way
Governor Reeves begins by thanking President Biden and assures people "help is on the way".
Press conference starts
The press conference is now under way with Governor Tate Reeves sharing the latest on the situation in Mississippi.
Footage shows the moment tornado strikes Mississippi school
Shocking video surveillance footage shows the moment the tornado hit a school in Mississippi.
Debris can be seen flying along a corridor and wiring coming loose at Amory High School.
Video content
Video caption: Moment tornado hits Mississippi schoolMoment tornado hits Mississippi school
Live Reporting
Edited by Fiona Nimoni
All times stated are UK
View more on twitterView more on twitter Video caption: US tornado: Governor 'proud to be a Mississippian'US tornado: Governor 'proud to be a Mississippian' -
Potential housing for displaced residents in the short, medium and long-term once the debris is cleaned up
-
Small business assistance including at a federal level
Video caption: Moment tornado hits Mississippi schoolMoment tornado hits Mississippi school
Latest PostWe're pausing our live coverage
We are pausing our live coverage for now - thank you for staying with us. Our writers today were James Gregory and Jemma Crew, the editor was Fiona Nimoni.
Recovery will take 'years and years'
Sophie Long
in Rolling Fork
Anthony Staples manages 14 apartment buildings - all of which were destroyed.
He says: "No money to rebuild. The insurance will pay some of the money but will not be enough to cover the replacement costs to restore and rebuild it as it was - you would never get that kind of money."
He fears it will be "years and years" before Rolling Fork recovers.
"The town will recover eventually but that will be years and years down the road," he tells the BBC.
"I don’t know if they’ve declared it as a disaster area.
"I don’t know, but if the Federal Government comes in with funding it would help with the rebuilding process, but regardless it will take years and years and some of the people who have been dislocated - they’re not going to return."
Red Cross volunteers
The American Red Cross has thanked volunteers for helping and has given information on how those affected by the tornado can access help.
'I'm proud of them'
Listen to Governor Reeves talk about how inspired he is by Mississippians and how proud he is to represent them.
Video content
Why was the tornado so destructive?
Our colleague, Nadine Yousif, has written about the unusual and powerful tornado, and why it has left storm chasers and meteorologists in shock.
"One factor that contributed to the devastation in Mississippi is the timing that the storm rolled in.
"It hit the town of Rolling Fork around 20:00 local time (02:00 GMT), and the NWS only issued a tornado warning about 20 minutes prior.
"Studies have shown that night-time tornadoes can be twice as deadly as those that occur during the day, partly because they are hard to see coming."
Record setting winter of extreme weather
The latest tornado outbreak in Mississippi is only the latest in an active winter of extreme weather in the southern US.
There was a preliminary total of 168 tornadoes across the US in January - the second highest number on record. Alabama led all states with 49 tornadoes between January and February.
Yet tornado season in the southern US states hasn't even officially peaked. April, May and June tend to be the most active months for severe weather and tornadoes in the region.
Two priorities for communities
During the press conference, Reeves said there are two priorities for those affected by the tornado.
Press conference comes to an end
The press conference has now come to an end.
Stick around as we will continue to post more information, reaction and comments as they come through.
Housing will be 'one of the major issues'
FEMA's Deanne Criswell warns that housing will be one of the major long-term issues arising from the tornado.
She says the American Red Cross is on the ground and providing shelter, while family, extended family and neighbours are opening up their homes to help people stay safe right now.
“We know that this is going to be a long-term recovery event, and we can see just where we are standing here, that one of the major issues we are going to face is housing, and how do we help the individuals that have been impacted by this horrific event?"
'Know how you're going to get information'
FEMA's Deanne Criswell says it is vital that people know how to get information when it comes to future storms.
"Know how you're going to get information, know what your actions are going to be to protect yourself and your family," she says.
Potentially severe weather to come, Reeves warns
Reeves is warning of potentially severe weather to come later in the day.
He says: “What we’ve seen, much like the storm that occurred Friday night, is in the 24-36 hours that are leading up to this afternoon, it appears that the risks seem to be getting worse and worse, not better.
“And when you stand here and see this, what feels like a beautiful weather day in Mississippi, please be aware and please know: if you are south of I-55 in Mississippi today there are significant risks. We are prepared.”
'This is a family' - Rolling Fork mayor
Mayor of Rolling Fork, the town which is among the worst-affected in Mississippi, says it will come back "bigger and better than ever before" to rounds of applause.
Eldridge Walker says he wants to make sure displaced families are being taken care of.
He says he has lost "personal friends" in the tornado.
He thanks the volunteers, some of whom have come from as far away as Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee.
"A family that prays together, stays together. This is a family," he says.
"I'm not only just the mayor of this community, but I've lost personal friends. I'm also the local funeral director. Now I'm having to meet those who have lost loved ones and help them make it through. I'm a firm believer that when you do right, right will follow."
'Make sure federal family does whatever they can to support these communities'
Deanne Criswell, administrator from FEMA, says she spoke to the president yesterday to update him.
She says: “He was very clear to me all the time: make sure that the entire federal family does whatever they can to support these communities”.
Secretary Mayorkas pledges help
Secretary Mayorkas continues: "The president has directed us to be here to assist the people of Mississippi, to be here on an enduring basis, not just on a response but in the recovery as well. We are here for the time it will take."
He warns that the frequency of severe weather events will increase and communities need to be prepared for them in the future.
'Inspiring'
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has just been speaking at the press conference.
He says we are here to communicate with the people of Mississippi that we are here "not just today but for the long haul".
He adds: "It is inspiring to see the people of Mississippi come together... and the people of this country come together to assist those in dire need."
Reeves 'proud to be a Mississippian'
Reeves takes a moment to personally thank volunteers.
He says: “What we’ve seen over the last 36 hours in Mississippi the one hand has been heart-breaking to see the loss and devastation of these communities, but on the other hand has been inspiring, and gives me great reason for optimism, and quite frankly makes me damn proud to be a Mississippian.
“Because Mississippians have done what Mississippians do.
“In times of tragedy, in times of crisis, they stand up and they show up, and they’re here to help themselves, help their neighbours.”
"We're going to do everything we can"
Reeves says people have lived in this community for decades and want to continue doing so.
"I can assure you we're going to do everything we can through housing and other means to get these people back in this community as quickly as we possibly can," he says.
Help is on the way
Governor Reeves begins by thanking President Biden and assures people "help is on the way".
Press conference starts
The press conference is now under way with Governor Tate Reeves sharing the latest on the situation in Mississippi.
Footage shows the moment tornado strikes Mississippi school
Shocking video surveillance footage shows the moment the tornado hit a school in Mississippi.
Debris can be seen flying along a corridor and wiring coming loose at Amory High School.
Video content