JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Severe weather blowing through the southern United States two days before Christmas has spawned likely tornadoes, knocked out power to thousands and damaged some homes and buildings.
Watches and warnings are out for a swath of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama with the storms moving toward Georgia, including Atlanta, and Florida late today into Christmas Eve. No injuries have been immediately reported.
According to local media reports, a tornado apparently touched down in Amite, Louisiana, downing several power lines and trees and tearing the roof off at least one home.
Another tornado may have hit Columbus, Mississippi, about 130 miles northeast of Jackson, doing some damage there.
Golf ball-sized hail fell in Enterprise, Mississippi, along with some pea-sized hail in the Bude area.
Flooding also was likely in some areas as heavy rains are hitting.