Family split up by EF-3 tornado that devastated parts of Selmer

JACKSON, Tenn. — We have details from a family that was directly impacted by the recent severe weather in McNairy County.

It’s been two weeks since the multi-day severe weather outbreak across the mid-south. During that outbreak, the city of Selmer was hit by an EF-3 tornado.

We spoke with a victim that is being housed here in Jackson whose family was split up by the storm.

“My sister and her husband had to stay behind because we had animals. And I got my kids and them to safety,” said Amanda Presley, storm victim.

The house is still standing, but due to the historic rainfall across the region, the home is no longer safe to live in.

“My house was still standing after the tornado, but unfortunately, with as many rounds as we got hit [with] after the first initial one it started caving in all my ceilings and then all my floors are starting to cave in,” said Presley.

The family lost their 19-year-old chihuahua, Maddy, on the April 7 due to declining health that began shortly after the tornado hit. The family also has two dogs, Thor and Magnus, that need foster homes, while they pick up the pieces.

“The town of Selmer will be feeling this for many years to come — many years,” said Presley.

The family says they are looking to relocate closer to Jackson due to the amount of homes destroyed in the area. United Way of West Tennessee gave both portions of the split family a voucher for an Airbnb.

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