A building on U.S. 98 in Columbia and some vehicles are destroyed after a tornado ripped through Marion County.(Photo: Haskel Burns/Hattiesburg American)
One person has been confirmed dead and two more injured after a tornado ripped through Marion County this afternoon.
Columbia Fire Department Capt. Tommy Graves said the fatality occurred at Wilks Trailer Park.
A second fatality in Columbia was confirmed by Marion County Emergency Management Agency Director Aaron Greer. He said neither victim's identity has been released.
Traffic on U.S. 98 near Columbia is at a standstill as emergency officials try to clear downed trees and power lines, American photographer Eli Baylis is reporting.
Mack Grubbs Motors in Columbia sustained severe damage, as did nearby Keith's Super Store, Camellia Home Health and Woodlawn Church Family Life Center, Baylis said.
Reporter Haskel Burns said Columbia's Hattiesburg Clinic Dialysis Unit has sustained damage. The medical facility issued a release saying patients who have appointments will be contacted with information on where to go for dialysis in the coming days.
Patients who are not contacted by Wednesday morning should call (601) 296-2960 or (601) 296-2912 for instructions.
Buy PhotoTraffic on U.S. 98 is at a standstill as emergency officials work to clear downed trees and power lines after a tornado ripped through Marion County.(Photo: Eli Baylis/Hattiesburg American)
The National Weather Service in Jackson said they are not yet sure whether the tornado that touched down in Marion County is the same one that hit Sumrall, but it is part of the same storm system, officials said.
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is reporting power outages and damage to homes in Jones County.
The roof was ripped off Kids Kampus day care center on Mississippi 42 this afternoon as a tornado ripped through Sumrall, American photographer Eli Baylis reports.
Lamar County Emergency Management James Smith confirmed that a tornado had touched down in the area.
Normally there are 119 children at the center, but today there were only 30. All of the children are fine. No injuries have been reported, but the center sustained heavy damage.
Sumrall Police officer Tony Kepper was first to arrive at the scene. He escorted the children to a nearby bank where they are waiting until parents can arrive to pick up their children.
In Marion County, some people are still trapped inside their homes near U.S. 98 and Mississippi 13, Greer said. Trees and power lines also are down in the area.
Greer said several businesses and homes in the area are damaged or destroyed.
No injuries have been reported so far, he said.
Multiple traffic signals are out on U.S. 98 near Columbia and Foxworth due to the severe weather.
Mississippi Department of Transportation crews are on the scene helping clear area and assess damage. Roads are blocked on Mississippi 13 past U.S. 98 in Marion County, MDOT is reporting.
Hattiesburg Police spokesman Lt. Jon Traxler said HPD has not received any reports of injuries or damage from the storm.
Forrest County also received no reports of damage, emergency management officials sad.
We'll update with more information as it becomes available.
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