Extremely Dangerous Tornado Hits Northeastern Mississippi

A large and extremely dangerous tornado touched ground in northeastern Mississippi late Sunday as severe weather rolled through the region.

Residents in at least two towns in the area woke up to damaged buildings and downed power lines after the National Weather Service in Memphis issued a string of tornado warnings.

The Weather Service warned residents to take cover in what it called “a life-threatening situation although there was no immediate information about what damage or injuries the tornado may have caused to the town.

The weather service also urged residents in Tupelo, about 23 miles southwest of Sandy Springs, and the surrounding area in neighboring Lee county to shelter because of a “damaging tornado” moving across the city.

Social media images from Tupelo showed roofs of many homes and buildings blown away, power lines and trees downed, and streets swamped with debris.

In a Facebook post the office warned people not get out and drive as there are reports that power lines are down in the roads. Earlier on Sunday, the office warned that the city was in “the path of a powerful storm,” and storm shelters were being opened.

There was also damage reported in Calhoun City, approximately 40 miles southwest of Tupelo.

A third of the town is without power, according to the county sheriff Greg Pollan who said several people were trapped in their homes, and first responders had to extricate them.

The National Weather Service in Jackson also shared social media reports of tornadoes near Yazoo City and Byram earlier in the day.