9/28/2005 6:00:00 PM Funnel clouds
spotted but no
touchdowns
By DEBBIE BURT MYERS
Managing Editor
Visual confirmation was made of two funnel clouds over Neshoba County Sunday, although no touchdowns were reported after at least 14 tornadoes cut through the state as the remnants of Hurricane Rita passed through.
Trained spotters reported a funnel cloud over the Arlington community about 1:45 p.m. and a second one over the Pearl River Resort moving just north of the city about 2:30 p.m. while the county was under a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service.
In all, the county was under five separate warnings on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Hurricane Rita breached the shores of Texas and Louisiana as a Category 3 storm, quickly melting into a tropical depression. Rita continued to do damage across Mississippi, even in its weakened state, bringing with it heavy rains and ideal tornado conditions.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reported damage in seven counties including Lauderdale and Newton.
Two mobile homes were damaged in Lauderdale County while significant damage was reported to the Lazy Boy facility in Newton County. Three aircraft were severely damaged in Leake County after being overturned by strong wind.
Three tornadoes were reported to have touched down in Rankin County, but little damage was reported.
At least one death was reported, in Humphreys County.
A tornado ripped across the Mississippi State University campus on Sunday, injuring four people, damaging buildings, and plucking trees, telephone and power lines from their rightful places.
The storm also caused damage to the nearby University Hills trailer park, rolling an RV onto its side, Officials said. At least five trailers suffered major damage and some minor injuries were reported.
“They sounded the sirens, but it was pretty much too late,” said Glenn Palmer, weekend manager at University Hills. “I looked outside and saw the funnel cloud coming and knew we were in trouble.”
The residents of the trailer park were transported to Starkville City Hall for temporary shelter. Volunteer firefighters evacuated the immediate area around the mobile homes because several natural gas lines were ruptured during the tornado.
The campus cafeteria and some tennis courts were also hit by the tornado as it worked its way northeast across the campus, said Mike Brown, an Associate Professor of Meteorology at MSU.
The school canceled Monday’s classes on the Starkville campus while the area was cleaned and repaired.
