Heavy Rain Causes Havoc in Oxford and Lafayette County
Overview
The city of Oxford and Lafayette County have faced a daunting week as four to six inches of rain, combined with high-speed winds, created a havoc situation by toppling several trees and disrupting power services. The heavy rainfall bore the brunt on Wednesday, during a three-day stormy period, resulting in numerous incidents of fallen trees, blocked roads, and power outages.
Extent of Damage
“Multiple trees fell in the city over the past 48 hours, causing road closures and power outages,” Oxford Emergency Management Director Shane Fortner reported. Some properties were also reported damaged due to the fallen trees. By Friday morning, Lafayette County had suffered significant damage with a house on Country Road 1069 severely bruised by a falling tree.
Both Oxford Utilities and North East Mississippi Electric Power Association came forward with staggering numbers. The latter reported approximately four thousand customers without power due to the fallen trees and limbs. Oxford Utilities confirmed a count of over 700 customers who experienced power outages on Wednesday.
Emergency Response and Assistance
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency swung into action, intending to assess the damages in the affected regions. Tragic news of two fatalities (Scott and Leflore counties) and six injuries being reported has further sparked concern. The National Weather Service confirmed the occurrence of an EF 1 tornado in Hinds County on April 9 and an EF 0 tornado in Madison County on April 10, causing widespread devastation.
State-level data so far reveals that 179 homes have reported damages, and the initial damage assessment process is underway. To assist those affected by the storms, the Mississippi Insurance Department suggested residents to follow key steps for filing an insurance claim, including prompt filing, maintaining cooperation with the insurance company, documenting the damages, making essential repairs to prevent further damage, and maintaining a thorough record of the entire process.
Aftermath
As authorities work tirelessly to restore normalcy, residents have been urged to remain patient, cooperate with the claims adjusters, and save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by the insurance policy.
Ongoing Recovery
Despite the challenges, the spirit of the Oxford community remains strong as they rally together to face the aftermath of the storms. A sense of unity and cooperation prevails as everyone chips in to address the situation and work towards recovery. The storms may have caused significant disruption, but the resilience of the community stands testament to the courage of the people of Oxford.
