First Tornado Death in 2019

By Jade Smith

February 25, 2019- Greenville New York News

In Columbus, Mississippi, a town of 24,000, the first death due to a tornado in 2019 was documented on February 24th. On Saturday evening, a tornado was triggered by a series of intense thunderstorms. These high winds severely damaged two community center buildings and a school, as well as multiple other warehouses and businesses. Most importantly, the destruction of the First Pentecostal Church of Columbus was inflicted. The demolishment of this building, unfortunately, resulted in the death of Ashley Glynell Pounds at age 41. 13 other people were injured as well with non-life threatening wounds. On Sunday, February 24th, Governor Phil Bryant made a confident testament for Columbus residents on Twitter to view, tweeting, "So far one fatality has been confirmed and damage assessments are now underway. We are saddened by the loss of life but thankful it was not much worse. We are grateful this Sunday morning.”