HATTIESBURG, Miss. — The powerful twister that struck Mississippi over the weekend tore a path across at least three counties, injuring more than 60 people — but residents marveled Monday that no one died.

Officials said several circumstances converged to ensure no lives were lost in what could have been a deadly storm: Sirens and TV broadcasts gave people up to 30 minutes of warning; many students had left the University of Southern Mississippi because of Mardi Gras; and most businesses were either closed or quiet because it was a Sunday.