Tornado rips through parts of south Mississippi, killing 4

Four people were killed, and scores of homes were flattened early Saturday when a tornado ripped through a city in southern Mississippi in the dark of night, officials said.

The city of Hattiesburg said via its Twitter account that four people had died after the twister blew through the city and its surrounding area. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions.

Mayor Johnny DuPree has signed an emergency declaration for the city, which reported “significant injuries” and structural damage.

The city also said via Twitter that Hattiesburg firefighters and police are going door to door to try to rescue victims.

Greg Flynn of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said rescuers are still searching the stricken area for more possible victims.

Flynn said “massive damage” was reported in a three-county area that was struck by a tornado around 4 a.m. local time.

Photos and television images showed the intensity of the damage. Cars were flipped, sometimes piled on top of each other, while parts of houses were ripped into shards of wood and debris.

Once-tall trees were ripped from their roots and thrown across roads.

As dawn rose over the city, rescue workers and residents walked down streets strewn with debris and still wet from the storm.

Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties were affected. Flash-flood warnings were in effect for northern Forrest and Lamar counties, as well as southeastern Jones and Marion counties.

The National Weather Service said 3 to 5 inches of rain have fallen, raising the risk of flooding. More rain — 1 to 2 inches — is possible.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol is reporting Interstate 59 north of Hattiesburg is closed because of debris. Downed power lines and debris have been reported over a wide area. The public is asked to avoid traveling there.

Flynn said the tornado touched down in Lamar, plowed through Forrest and then struck Perry before dissipating.

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