The tornado that ripped through the Pine Belt claimed the lives of four people. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency confirms at least 20 people were injured.
Emergency crews are responding to areas hit hardest by the storms. According to MEMA, two state search and rescue teams have been dispatched to Forrest County to help. The Salvation Army, Mississippi National Guard, the State Department of Health and the State Department of Human Services are also all in the Pine Belt assisting.
These are the reports of damage released by MEMA:
Forrest County:
- Numerous homes damaged in cities of Hattiesburg and Petal
- Fire Dept. in Petal damaged
- William Carey College damaged
- Numerous injuries reported
- State’s search and rescue team deployed
- Salvation Army building damaged
- Multiple injuries reported
Jones County:
- Multiple homes damaged, one injury reported
- Trees and power lines down
Lamar County:
- Numerous homes damaged
Perry County:
- Homes damaged
According to MEMA, Gov. Phil Bryant has authorized a State of Emergency to provide state resources. The governor plans to tour the affected area Saturday afternoon.
I ask you to join me and Deborah in praying for those loved and lost in Hattiesburg. https://t.co/1haSAF153v— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 21, 2017
William Carey University in Hattiesburg received extensive damage to some buildings during Saturday morning’s tornado.
The university says its Hattiesburg campus is closed right now. They are advising parents to pick up their children from campus.
According to the university’s official Twitter page, authorities checked all the dormitories to make sure all students were safe. Some students did report minor injuries after the severe weather passed.
The university reports damage to some dorms, Tatum Court and Thomas Hall.
Students gathered for a prayer meeting at Tatum Court late Saturday morning.
(Information from WJTV.com & WHLT.com)
