At least 23 are dead in a long-lasting tornado in the Mississippi

 A rare, long-track tornado left a trail of devastation across western Mississippi on Friday night — killing at least 23 people, tearing buildings and leaving thousands of homes without power.

"We can confirm 23 dead, dozens injured, 4 missing due to last night's tornadoes," the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said Saturday morning. "We have numerous local and state search and rescue teams that continue to work this morning. A number of assets are on the ground to assist those that have been impacted."

A tornado landed in Rolling Fork, which is about an hour's drive from of Jackson, Miss., around 8 p.m. local time, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Perrilloux.

Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker told CNN that his "city is gone."

Walker, who has been surveying the wreckage in his town, said the damage and devastation is widespread. He added that several residents have been found trapped in their homes and rushed to hospitals while emergency responders search for more survivors.

The twister traveled northeast, upending neighboring towns in Silver City, Black Hawk and Winona. The severe weather also produced golf ball-size hail.

In total, the tornado spanned roughly 170 miles and lasted over an hour, which Perrilloux described as "very rare."

"This is one of the more rare tornadoes that we've seen in recorded Mississippi history given its longevity and strength over a period of time," he told NPR.

At least one other, weaker tornado may have hit Mississippi but it has not been confirmed, according to Perrilloux.