Tornado lands in the capital of Mississippi; Other areas on alert

Powerful winds swept through parts of the Mississippi, forming a tornado in the state capital, ripping roofs off buildings and downing power lines elsewhere.

The tornado was reported in Jackson on Wednesday evening, with other communities in the state placed under severe weather warnings and reports of damage. While the extent of the damage remains to be seen, the severe weather comes a week after more tornadoes hit the state and Louisiana.

Mike Edmonson, senior meteorologist in the National Weather Service’s Jackson office, said Newsweek that survey teams will confirm any tornadoes in the coming days.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Hattiesburg and other southeast communities in the state until 8 p.m.

Severe thunderstorms moving at 60 mph or more could also produce tornadoes near Memphis, Tennessee, according to the service. Residents were warned of flying debris and damage to buildings and vehicles.

A tornado briefly formed from the dark, cloudy sky above Jackson, according to reports on social media.

It quickly formed in the southern part of the city and was filmed around 4:30 p.m., 16 WAPT reports. No injuries were reported, but the tornado toppled a utility pole near Jackson State University, according to the station.

The Hinds County Emergency Management Department, which includes Jackson, has not recorded any injuries at this time.

“Thankfully we missed this guy here in Pearl, but keep our area in your prayers as tornadoes touch down in Mississippi today,” the Mississippi Braves baseball team said in a tweet showing a photo of the tornado funnel near its stage.

The city of Hattiesburg said on Facebook that high winds knocked out a traffic light, causing an intersection to close.

Further north, in the college town of Oxford, Mississippi, police said on Twitter that several downed trees were reported in the area, including at least one falling through the roof of a home. No one was injured, according to police.

Power outages were reported in downtown regions and at the University of Mississippi, and some roads were flooded, police said.

Poweroutage.us shows nearly 44,000 outages in Mississippi.

Near the Tennessee border, Southaven City Police said on Twitter that a roof collapsed on a warehouse.

“The building has been evacuated and everyone is safe and sound,” police said.

Newsweek contacted the Hinds County Emergency Management Department for comment.