Tornado hits Hattiesburg, Southern Miss

Reports still coming in, and it's still on the ground, but a large wedge tornado has struck Hattiesburg, Miss. It passed over at least a portion of the Southern Miss campus, and over the intersection of U.S. 49 and Hardy Street (which, as the southeastern SJ contingent probably knows, is a major, major intersection in the region).

Live TV news feed:
http://www.wdam.com/

 

Damn. Thoughts and prayers to everyone in the area.

 

CNN is kicking its competitors' ass. Video, live interviews. Looks like Oak Grove High School was hit hard. In that regard, thankfully it was a Sunday.

Prayers to all.

 

Some video of the tornado from a hotel room. Can't tell if it's along I-59, US 49 or US 98, but it appears to be near one of the main thoroughfares:

http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20130210/NEWS/130210014/Tornado-causes-damage-Hattiesburg-strikes-USM-campus-Video-

And yes, Liut, Oak Grove High School's football fieldhouse appears to be destroyed, as well as part of the stadium. Looks like Brett Favre will have to do some more Wrangler ads.

 

No reports of injuries in Hattiesburg yet, although a few have been reported in neighboring Marion County, where the tornado started. It's still on the ground, or at least on radar, and about to cross into Alabama.

Also, for those that have been to Hattiesburg, the intersection of US 49 and Hardy St. is roughly where Southern Miss' football stadium is, plus or minus a block. Wonder how bad that got dinged?

 

Is Hardy the street running east-west just south of M.M. Roberts Stadium? IIRC, Oak Grove High is on the west side of town.

 

That is correct on both counts. Basically, this thing plowed through downtown Hattiesburg.

 

CNN interviewing a USM geography professor describing where some of the campus sites are that have reportedly suffered damage.

Fox is airing Huckabee, MSNBC has Caught on Camera.

 

CNN is on the ball. I remember how strange it was watching the broadcast when a tornado hit Atlanta during the SEC tourney a few years ago.

 

So does USM clear out for Mardi gras weekend?

 

Statement on the school's website says class was out Monday and Tuesday for Mardi Gras. They've closed campus tomorrow and told employees to stay home.
Same statement says damage to at least four buildings, tagged on this map. A couple of them look close to residence halls.

http://m.usm.edu/campus_map.php?tag=7744

 

Another picture from Oak Grove High School, which appears to have taken a direct hit.
Heard the story on CNN that the girls basketball team was practicing in the gym. One of them came out and asked where her car was. Well, here it is: