A severe storm system that swept through Mississippi two weeks ago left one teenager dead and two others injured after a large tree fell onto a home, authorities confirmed.
The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Tykeria Rogers of Natchez, a high school senior and cheerleader captain whose life was cut short in the tragic incident.
According to Natchez Police Chief Cal Green, emergency crews responded to the scene on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 28, after reports that a storm‑toppled tree had struck a residence on West Wood Road in Adams County. Rogers was inside the home when the tree fell on the structure during intense weather, part of a larger severe weather outbreak across the region.
Neighbors and first responders attempted a desperate rescue, using chainsaws to cut away massive branches in an effort to reach Rogers before help could arrive.
Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The identities of the two people who were injured in the incident have not yet been released, and officials did not immediately provide details on their conditions.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” Chief Green told WLBT of the accident, describing the devastation felt by the local community in the aftermath of the storm.
The severe weather that moved through Mississippi was part of a broader system that produced damaging wind gusts, heavy rain, and tornadoes across portions of the South, with forecasters warning of dangerous conditions.
Although it is too early to fully assess the storm’s total impact, similar severe weather events in the region have previously caused widespread property damage, power outages, and casualties.
Community Mourns Rogers’ Loss
In the days following the tragedy, the Natchez community has come together to mourn Rogers’ death. A candlelight vigil was held at Natchez High School, where friends, family members, classmates and local residents gathered to honor her memory. Tributes described Rogers as a vibrant and beloved young woman whose spirit and energy touched many lives.
School district officials extended their condolences, remembering the teen as “a bright light” whose absence will leave a lasting void.
Counselors were made available to students and staff in the wake of the loss.
The Adams County Emergency Management Agency continues to assess damage from the severe weather and assist residents affected by the outbreak.
