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Top stories from The Associated PressSome heavy storms went through Calhoun County and Chickasaw County. If you have photos or stories post them here, or email them to todd.vinyard@djournal.com.
Nothing like that in today’s forecast. Click here for the forecast from Accuweather.com.
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Video of Tupelo tornado damage to cars at the Northeast Mississippi Medical Center’s Mall at Barnes Crossing location shot by Journal Publishing Company (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal) New Media Director, Bill Johnson.
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PHOTO:C. Todd Sherman
Kathy Lott receives a comforting hug after high winds tore through her neighborhood Thursday morning. As part of her cleanup duties, Lott gathered springs from the family trampoline, which was blown several hundred yards away.
Thoughts and prayers go out to those recovering from the storms today. Happy to report no loss of life. Hope you will check out the complete coverage of the storms Thursday in today’s Daily Journal. Here are links to the stories …
No deaths as tornado rips Tupelo
Officials to meet after some sirens fail to sound
Insurers offer tips for homeowners
House rubble, Mantachie woman still feels blessed
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Some reader submitted photos. More coming. Thanks to those who have sent them in so far.
Bobby Pepper, Thomas Wells, Deste Lee, C. Todd Sherman and Danza Johnson from the Journal staff all contributed. Thanks!
Just got this from the fine folks at Tupelo Voice …
Click link to see more storm photos.
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Here is damage to the Mississippi Building of the Tupelo Furniture Market. Video shot by Journal Publishing New Media Director Bill Johnson.
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One truck driver could say he had a lucky day Thursday to be able to walk away after his 18-wheeler flipped over on Highway 45 near the Mall at Barnes Crossing after running into the tornado that hit Tupelo early. New Media Director Bill Johnson interviews the driver. Click video above.
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Excellent photos from the Journal photography staff of Thomas Wells, C. Todd Sherman and Deste Lee.
Click here to view them. Look for more in the Daily Journal newspaper Friday.
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In the morning hours of May 8, 2008, a strong line of storms moved across North Mississippi, spawning tornadoes in and around Tupelo damaging the Tupelo Furniture Market and other Tupelo businesses.
The Salvation Army in Tupelo has dispatched a mobile feeding unit to the Furniture Market on Coley Road in Tupelo to provide assistance and warm meals to those affected by the storms as well as support to First responders in the area.
“Our heart goes out to those affected by the recent flurry of tornadoes. The Salvation Army is responding and will provide whatever relief we can to those who have been touched by this disaster,” said Major Sue Dorman of The Salvation Army in Tupelo. “The Army stands ready to serve. Our practical response will also be under girded by our prayer support for the victims of these tornados.”
By the end of the day, The Salvation Army should know more about the type of assistance needed and how it will go about providing it.
The Salvation Army is in communication with Emergency operations centers across Mississippi, offering assistance to areas affected by the storms.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to support The Salvation Army’s relief efforts in these areas may do so by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, by visiting www.salvationarmyusa.org or by contacting their nearest Salvation Army Corps.
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Photo Thomas Wells
By Dennis Seid and Danza Johnson
Daily Journal
An early morning tornado today that hit parts of Tupelo damaged several homes and businesses, including the Tupelo Furniture Market’s Mississippi Complex. No deaths or major injuries were reported.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is expected to declare a state of emergency for Lee County around noon today.
Building D of the Mississippi Complex appeared to have absorbed the brunt of the storm. The front of the building – connected to the rest of the facility but at a slant – was wrecked, with steel beams and cinder blocks were twisted and ripped from the foundation.
TFM owner V.M. Cleveland said when he heard the building had been hit by a tornado, he had no idea the damage was so extensive.
“I didn’t imagine this,” said Cleveland. “This D section of the building is probably totaled, but I don’t think the whole complex is. The good thing is that no one was hurt.”
The other four buildings of the complex suffered some roof damage, but Cleveland said that could be
fixed.
The NEW customer service center that supports DirecTV was not damaged, although power was out. The center, which closed for the day, directed its operations to other call centers.
“We’re blessed that nobody got hurt,” said Bill Cleveland, president of the market. “The damage is extensive, but we won’t know more until we can get in there.”
Also, early reports that the Tupelo Regional Airport were damaged proved incorrect. Some of the debris from the furniture market had scattered and lay on some of the border fence on the west side of the airport.
When the storm hit Building D, several men were in the building working. William Felks and Allan
Jackson said it lasted only a minute, but that was more than enough time to scare both men half to death.
Still shaking nearly an hour after he made his was through the damaged building, Felks said he just held on to his friend and waited the storm out.
“I saw it coming,” said Felks referring. “I saw it come over top of us. Me and Allan hit behind a door and I was holding on to his belt as tight as I could. Then in seconds it stopped. It took less than a minute to mess this whole building up. Man I was scared.”
Even though Lee County E 911 reported that tornado sirens went off at 7:50 a.m., it was nearly 20 minutes before the furniture market was hit. Felks and Jackson said they didn’t hear the warning.
“When they do those tests and sound the sirens off, we always hear them,” said an annoyed Jackson, “but the time we needed to hear them we didn’t. That makes me mad because if we didn’t see the tornado and take cover, we’d be in trouble.”
A firefighter on the scene said the noise of the storm may have drowned out the howl of the siren.
Mall to open later today
Businesses around the Mall at Barnes Crossing also were damaged.
Mall general manager Jeff Snyder said a tornado struck close to Sonic and the Wesson & Mothershed Eye Center. Tupelo Police Department personnel had blocked traffic around the area. The mall was open, but access was limited.
A few awnings over some of the main entrances at the mall sustained minor damage, and several trees were down.
A new 30-foot sign that was recently installed on the east side of the mall was leaning at a 20-degree angle.
“We were fortunate that the tornado skipped around us, and that we weren’t open yet,” Snyder said.
A few employees of some stores in the 800,000-square-foot mall were in the building, and they went to some interior hallways to find shelter.
“The back hallways have no windows, and it’s where they can go for safety,” Snyder said.
Had the mall been open to customers, Snyder said, mall procedure is to announce threatening weather and to advise them to find shelter.
“We don’t lock down the mall or anything, but if customers want to find shelter here, any mall employee can lead them to one of the protected hallways,” he said.
The mall will open at 2 p.m. since power is only at about 30 percent at the sprawling shopping center and traffic is still moving slowly.
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