NEWS

Sumrall, Marion County see tornado damage

From staff reports
Sumrall Police officers inspect the Kids Kampus day care center in Sumrall after the building sustained heavy tornado damage. According to the Sumrall Police Department, all 30 children and day care employees were unharmed and moved to the neighboring Citizens Bank.

The roof was ripped off Kids Kampus day care center on Mississippi 42 this afternoon as a tornado ripped through Sumrall, American photographer Eli Baylis reports.

Lamar County Emergency Management James Smith confirmed that a tornado had touched down in the area.

Normally there are 119 children at the center, but today there were only 30. All of the children are fine. No injuries have been reported, but the center sustained heavy damage.

Sumrall Police officer Tony Kepper was first to arrive at the scene. He escorted the children to a nearby bank where they are waiting until parents can arrive to pick up their children.

In Marion County, some people are still trapped inside their homes near U.S. 98 and Mississippi 13, said Aaron Greer of Marion County Emergency Management. Trees and power lines also are down in the area.

Greer said several businesses and homes in the area are damaged or destroyed.

Salvation Army of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana will be in Columbia on Wednesday morning to hand out hot meals to affected residents. Exact location has yet to be determined.

Multiple traffic signals are out on U.S. 98 near Columbia and Foxworth due to the severe weather.

Mississippi Department of Transportation crews are on the scene helping clear area and assess damage. Roads are blocked on Mississippi 13 past U.S. 98 in Marion County, MDOT is reporting.

Hattiesburg Police spokesman Lt. Jon Traxler said HPD has not received any reports of injuries or damage from the storm.

Forrest County also received no reports of damage, emergency management officials sad.