A tornado touched down in Columbia, Mississippi, Tuesday afternoon, damaging buildings, flipping cars, and leaving at least four people dead, and 50 others injured.
This happened not 5 minutes ago. @wdam @wdamweather
@NickLiljaWDAM Ellisville a little bit ago
Two people died in Marion County at a trailer park and a strip mall, the Associated Press reported. A man and a woman died in Jones County as the tornado destroyed their mobile home, according to WDAM.
Photo of tornado in Laurel. Sent in by Eric Roberts.
The National Weather Service warned residents to take shelter at 2:25 p.m. local time.
2:25 PM: Radar confirms a tornado on the south side of Columbia. Seek shelter immediately! #mswx
2:25PM: Reports of extensive damage, including structural, around Columbia, MS. Vehicles were flipped & a mobile home park was damaged #mswx
The storm watch remained in effect for three hours, and afterward, Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency for Jones and Marion counties to offer state resources.
The tornado watch has been cancelled for the region. Showers will linger into tonight but no severe weather is expected rest of the evening
Here's a pic sent to @carrieduncanwx from Laurel earlier by friends of Al Jones.. #mswx
A number of buildings were destroyed, and about 50 people were treated at Marion General Hospital, a spokesperson told the AP. The hospital was running on generator power.
Damage on highway 98 between Foxworth, MS & the other end of town past Mack Grubbs. Photo Courtesy: Ashley DeLaughter
Tornado damage on U.S. 98 in Columbia
The storm ripped the roof off a daycare, but no one inside was harmed.
35 kids, 7 staff at Kids Kampus in Sumrall when storm ripped off roof. All safe and unharmed.
Cars were overturned as the storm traveled 45 mph through the region.
Thousands of people were left without power.
Damage in Marion County via Marion Co. SO. #wdam #mswx
More damage at MC Medical
Storms were forecast to move through the Southeast this week bringing rain, hail, and thunderstorms and possibly more tornadoes.
A new Graphicast has been posted!