A Mississippi meteorologist appealed to God while on air to help those who were in the path of a vicious tornado that was ripping through the state.

WTVA meteorologist Matt Laubhan said a prayer on air as a tornado headed toward the small city of Amory, which was crushed by the storm alongside other areas of western Mississippi. 

“Here’s the thing about this, y’all trust me too much,” Laubhan said. “I tell you where it’s going to go and some of you guys are like: “That’s where it’s gonna go.’ The reality of this, this could be changing direction. So, Amory, we need to be in our safe place.”

Laubhan, who was monitoring the tornado’s trajectory, got a new scan and appeared very disturbed by its path. “Oh man, north side of Amory, this is coming in,” he said. “Oh, man. Dear Jesus, please help them. Amen.”

WATCH: WTVA meteorologist Matt Laubhan overwhelmed as major tornado hits Amory, Mississippi pic.twitter.com/JDd8n46X31

— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) March 25, 2023

Laubhan put later posted footage of damage to buildings in Amory, including the National Guard armory.

Storm damage at the National Guard armory and nearby buildings in Amory, MS. pic.twitter.com/niRpolWwwP

— Matt Laubhan WTVA (@MattWTVA) March 25, 2023

Daylight scene of storm damage in Amory, MS. pic.twitter.com/meOSNXPzgj

— Matt Laubhan WTVA (@MattWTVA) March 25, 2023

According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, at least 23 people were killed and four people went missing due to the tornado. “Unfortunately these numbers are expected to change,” the agency tweeted on Saturday. 

The tornado, which was around a mile wide and traveled for over 100 miles, devastated the small towns of Rolling Fork, Anguilla, and Silver Creek.

The devastating storm ripped off roofs, leveled homes, and knocked out power for thousands of Mississippians. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves warned his state’s residents, gave an update on what actions the state is taking, and asked for prayer in a tweet just after 10:00 p.m. Friday.

“Many in the MS Delta need your prayer and God’s protection tonight,” Reeves said. “We have activated medical support — surging more ambulances and other emergency assets for those affected. Search and rescue is active. Watch weather reports and stay cautious through the night, Mississippi!”

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President Biden responded to the tornado by expressing his condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones and saying that FEMA would “ensure the fullest possible Federal response to those in need.”

Zach Jewell contributed to this report. 

Officials on Saturday gave conflicting updates on the chocolate factory explosion in West Reading, Pennsylvania, that left at least two dead and more missing.

While the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said that the death toll had risen to five with six people still missing, West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag characterized the widely reported death toll as “inaccurate,” according to local public radio station WITF-FM.

The explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant rocked West Reading and the cause of the blast is still under investigation. Seven people were also hospitalized after the explosion, according to Pennsylvania Emergency Management communications director Ruth A. Miller. 

The Reading Hospital announced Friday evening that they had transferred one patient who had been injured during the explosion, had admitted two in “fair condition,” and released five others.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody involved,” said Dean Murray, the borough manager of West Reading. Murray also said that the factory was a “staple of the borough.” 

At least one building was destroyed by the explosion, and another damaged, according to Chief of Police Wayne Holben, who has told people to stay away from the scene. 

Kaag released a statement early Saturday morning where she discussed the borough’s response to the explosion. “The tragic explosion at R.M. Palmer Company and loss of life has shaken our community. It is always difficult to come to terms with such sudden and unexpected events and unfortunately that is what has happened today. Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of those who have been affected,” she said.

“I’m asking for continued cooperation from the public to avoid the area of [sic] as emergency response workers continue to traverse the difficult task of recovery & assessing damage that will continue throughout weekend [sic]. Please keep them in your prayers as they work tirelessly throughout the night,” she added.

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The explosion, which took place at around 5 p.m. on Friday, was caught on video by weather cameras. 

BREAKING: Massive #explosion at the RMPalmer Factory in West Redding. Our weather cameras caught the explosion. Almost at the scene to learn more from police. RMPalmer is a big chocolate candy maker, and makes a lot of Easter candy. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/Jgpjbyt7fN

— Eddie Kadhim Journalist (@KadhimWrites) March 24, 2023

The R.M. Palmer Company, which began in 1948, makes a variety of chocolate products, with a large focus on holiday-themed candy for days like Easter and Valentine’s Day. The company says that it employs 850 people.