MISSISSIPPI — Many families in Marshall and Benton Counties were not gathered around their Christmas trees Thursday night. They were dealing with the aftermath of the devastating storms.
Shortly after sunset on Christmas Eve, search and rescue crews put a pause on their search for Michael Nunnally. They spent the day sifting through limbs and debris.
Three people went missing from a home in Wednesday’s storm. A tornado demolished the house.
Crews found two of the people, but one man was still missing Thursday. His family went home without the gift of an answer.
“I was on the phone last week talking to one of my girlfriends, and I told her, I said the hardest time to have a tragedy is during Christmas,” said Nunnally’s mother, Maxine.
WREG was told there might not be an official search Friday, Christmas Day.
The sheriff said he located some machinery that could help pick up thick brush. Some volunteers said they might venture out Friday.
The other two victims have been identified as William Crawford and Patricia Williams.
Meanwhile, at a Red Cross shelter in Holly Springs, Steve Swann, the logistics lead for the Red Cross of North Mississippi, was able to close down operations shortly after 7 p.m.
The shelter was packed with donations.
Swann estimates 300 to 400 people affected by the storm came to the shelter Thursday.
There is more giving to do Friday. Around 8:30 a.m., families can bring their kids to a North Pole substitute.
Swann said the Marine Corps donated bundles of toys.
“All the presents went away with the house, and kids are the most traumatized by something like this,” Swann said.
This night before Christmas, there was a lot of heartache in Marshall and Benton counties, but also a lot of support.
“Every place in town has donated something,” Swann said.
Swann said the Red Cross found hotel rooms for people with medical needs. Other displaced people opted to stay with friends or relatives. Even though the shelter closed down for the night, he said storm victims can knock on the door at 285 North Memphis Street in Holly Springs and have a home for Christmas.
