A powerful storm system that tore across parts of the South and Midwest claimed lives and destroyed homes and businesses just as final preparations for Christmas celebrations were under way. At least 14 people have died and dozens are injured due to the storms, according to the Associated Press. The system spawned more than a dozen tornadoes, including a potent one in Mississippi on Wednesday that remained on the ground for roughly 50 miles, an especially long stretch for a December twister, said Greg Carbin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. Mississippi was hit especially hard. At least seven deaths were reported there as of Thursday afternoon, and storms caused widespread damage to houses, mobile homes and other structures, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. More than 1,400 power outages occurred, and storm debris forced numerous road closures. Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state […]