In an aerial view, damage from a series of powerful storms and at least one tornado is seen in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.

In an aerial view, damage from a series of powerful storms and at least one tornado is seen in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. / Getty Images

Emergency responders are digging out after a rare, long-lasting tornado tore through western Mississippi Friday night, killing at least 26 people and leaving a trail of destruction behind.

The tornado — which landed in Rolling Fork around 8 p.m. local time and then plowed through nearby towns including Silver City, Black Hawk and Winona — lasted for more than an hour, which a federal meteorologist called "very rare."

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issued a state of emergency for all the counties affected by the severe weather.

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Wonder Bolden cradles her year-old grand daughter Journey Bolden as she surveys the remains of her mother's tornado-demolished mobile home in Rolling Fork, Miss.

Wonder Bolden cradles her year-old grand daughter Journey Bolden as she surveys the remains of her mother's tornado-demolished mobile home in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

Debris covers the ground on in Silver City, Miss.

Debris covers the ground on in Silver City, Miss. / AP

Aerial view of a destroyed neighborhood in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after a tornado touched down in the area.

Aerial view of a destroyed neighborhood in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after a tornado touched down in the area. / AFP via Getty Images

Charlie Weissinger, tosses away the paneling from one of the desks in his father's demolished law office in Rolling Fork, Miss.

Charlie Weissinger, tosses away the paneling from one of the desks in his father's demolished law office in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

A pickup truck rests on top of a restaurant cooler at Chuck's Dairy Cafe in Rolling Fork, Miss. Emergency officials in Mississippi say several people have been killed by a tornado that tore through the state on Friday night, destroying buildings and knocking out power as severe weather produced hail the size of golf balls moved through several southern states.

A pickup truck rests on top of a restaurant cooler at Chuck's Dairy Cafe in Rolling Fork, Miss. Emergency officials in Mississippi say several people have been killed by a tornado that tore through the state on Friday night, destroying buildings and knocking out power as severe weather produced hail the size of golf balls moved through several southern states. / AP

Kenterica Sardin, 23, becomes emotional after assessing damage to her home.

Kenterica Sardin, 23, becomes emotional after assessing damage to her home. / Getty Images

Aerial view of a destroyed neighborhood in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after a tornado touched down in the area.

Aerial view of a destroyed neighborhood in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, after a tornado touched down in the area. / AFP via Getty Images

Tracy Hardin, center, who with her husband Tim, left, own Chuck's Dairy Bar, consoles a neighbor in Rolling Fork, Miss. The couple and their six employees were hiding in the cooler when the tornado hit.

Tracy Hardin, center, who with her husband Tim, left, own Chuck's Dairy Bar, consoles a neighbor in Rolling Fork, Miss. The couple and their six employees were hiding in the cooler when the tornado hit. / AP

A vehicle awaits removal Saturday March 25, 2023, after getting destroyed by a Friday night tornado that hit Rolling Fork, Miss.

A vehicle awaits removal Saturday March 25, 2023, after getting destroyed by a Friday night tornado that hit Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

Emergency rescuers and first responders climb through a tornado demolished mobile home park looking for bodies that might be buried in the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings in Rolling Fork, Miss.

Emergency rescuers and first responders climb through a tornado demolished mobile home park looking for bodies that might be buried in the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

Piles of debris, insulation, damaged vehicles and home furnishings are all that remain this neighborhood in Rolling Fork, Miss.

Piles of debris, insulation, damaged vehicles and home furnishings are all that remain this neighborhood in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

A resident looks through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable in Rolling Fork, Miss.

A resident looks through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

A sheriff's deputy gives the all-clear signal after climbing onto a piled up vehicle to search for survivors or the deceased at Chuck's Dairy Bar in Rolling Fork, Miss.

A sheriff's deputy gives the all-clear signal after climbing onto a piled up vehicle to search for survivors or the deceased at Chuck's Dairy Bar in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

A pair of sneakers and pants lay in front of the skeletal remains of the underside of a mobile home in Rolling Fork, Miss.

A pair of sneakers and pants lay in front of the skeletal remains of the underside of a mobile home in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

A resident looks through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable at a tornado-demolished mobile home park in Rolling Fork, Miss.

A resident looks through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable at a tornado-demolished mobile home park in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

A pair of residents walk through the remains of their demolished mobile home park, looking through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable in Rolling Fork, Miss.

A pair of residents walk through the remains of their demolished mobile home park, looking through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable in Rolling Fork, Miss. / AP

Tracy Hardin, who with her husband Tim, own Chuck's Dairy Bar, surveys the tornado destruction to their business.

Tracy Hardin, who with her husband Tim, own Chuck's Dairy Bar, surveys the tornado destruction to their business. / AP

Tags: tornadoes  Mississippi  Southern Weather