Tornado storm in Mississippi produces heavy rain, hail, tornadouproots trees, as it causes damages in Wesson

 

Severe weather moved through central Mississippi Monday, producing at least one tornado. The twister formed about 12:15 p.m. east of Wesson, the National Weather Service confirmed. Debris could be seen on radar, the 16 WAPT Weather Team said.

Widespread damage was reported across the town, according to the Wesson Police Department. Trees and power lines were down.

Downed trees and roof damage were reported at Wesson Attendance Center. The roof was leaking in a hallway near the school library and in an area of the gymnasium, school officials said.

About 1,000 students were in the school when the storm hit. None were injured, authorities said.

The tornado knocked down several trees along Highway 429, east of Thomastown in Leake County, the weather service said.

The tornado moved into Copiah County about 12:20 p.m. and damaged a home in the Stronghope community, according to the weather service.
A few minutes before the tornado formed, winds of up to 100 mph were clocked in Lincoln County, near Copiah-Lincoln Community College. School officials said in a tweet that there was no damage reported on campus.
There was also damage reported to some homes in Walthall County, authorities said.
Tornado warnings were issued for several areas of central Mississippi late Monday morning, including Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties.

Heavy rain fell in Clinton, and radar showed rotation in the eastern side of the city. There was a report of trees down on Cynthia Drive, north of the Natchez Trace.

Pea- to quarter-sized hail was reported in areas of Madison and Rankin counties, the 16 WAPT Weather Team said.
The fast-moving storm moved into Lincoln County about noon and produced winds as strong as 80 mph in the Loyd Star area, meteorologists said.