Miss. Police Department Picks Up Pieces after Devastating Tornado

A Mississippi police department would have its hands full rebuilding from the wreckage of its headquarters, which were destroyed in a devastating tornado last month. 

But Rolling Forks police officers are also continuing to protect their community, while helping other residents pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the destructive storm that killed 21 people in the state.

"The noise, the debris—everything. It was overwhelming," Police Chief Michael Myers, whose home was destroyed by the tornado, told WAPT-TV. "It was a frightening feeling not knowing if your neighbors were alive or dead."

The police department's headquarters was leveled by March 24 EF4 tornado that also tore through most of the town with a population of fewer than 2,000, WLBT-TV reports. High winds laid waste to about half the police station and also damaged vital equipment.

“We had a fleet of six units. We are down to two," said Assistant Chief Herbert Caesar. "We need Tasers. We definitely need flashlights, radios. We probably need computers—definitely computers.”

The department has been receiving help from law enforcement agencies around the state and region. In fact, a mobile command unit arrived last week, and it should become a temporary meeting space for the department.

“We’re not turning down anything," said Caesar. "And if we don’t need it now, pretty sure we’re gonna need it later on.”