Tornado approaches downtown Atlanta as Mississippi residents recover from severe damage

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Weather authorities have issued fresh storm warnings for parts of Georgia, just one day after tornadoes across Mississippi on Sunday left trails of devastation, uprooting trees and destroying homes in a brief but powerful fury.

The National Weather Service issued new storm warnings Monday for multiple Georgia counties, with a tornado warning in effect throughout the morning for Fulton and Dekalb counties. There were reports of a tornado approaching downtown Atlanta.

 

The weather conditions could continue into Tuesday and throughout the week. The storms started Sunday afternoon in Mississippi and lasted well into the night, with “tornado emergency” warnings issued in many parts of the state.

Vickie Savell, right, looks for her wedding band, as a friend and fellow church member pulls possessions from the remains of her new mobile home early Monday, May 3, 2021, in Yazoo County, Miss. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, causing some damage but no immediate word of injuries. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Vickie Savell, right, looks for her wedding band, as a friend and fellow church member pulls possessions from the remains of her new mobile home early Monday, May 3, 2021, in Yazoo County, Miss. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, causing some damage but no immediate word of injuries. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Meteorologists urged residents to take cover.

TORNADO CAUSES DAMAGE IN TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI, RESIDENTS ADVISED TO TAKE COVER

The National Weather Service in Memphis tweeted photos of downed trees and power lines. Businesses and homes in the area sustained damage, but there have not yet been any reports of injuries.

The remains of a mobile home are shown early Monday, May 3, 2021, in Yazoo County, Miss. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, causing some damage but no immediate word of injuries. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

The remains of a mobile home are shown early Monday, May 3, 2021, in Yazoo County, Miss. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, causing some damage but no immediate word of injuries. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

News outlets reported tornadoes near Yazoo City, Byram and Tchula on Sunday, with the most significant reports in Tupelo, where a “life-threatening” tornado touched down.

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Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan said Calhoun City also “was hit hard tonight.”

A downed tree and damaged homes are seen along Elvis Presley Drive in Tupelo, Miss., Monday, May 3, 2021. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, causing some damage but no immediate word of injuries. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)

A downed tree and damaged homes are seen along Elvis Presley Drive in Tupelo, Miss., Monday, May 3, 2021. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, causing some damage but no immediate word of injuries. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)

“Light poles have been snapped off. Trees in a few homes. Trees on vehicles. Damage to several businesses. Fortunately we have had no reports at this time of injuries,” Pollan posted on Facebook, asking people to stay off the roads. “Emergency personnel are working feverishly to open the roads as quickly as possible.”

The damage was more severe for some residents: Vickie Savell’s new mobile home was completely destroyed. She moved into it just eight days ago, but the tornado lifted it off its foundation and threw it some 25 feet.

“Oh my God, my first new house in 40 years and it’s gone,” she said Monday, amid tree tops strewn about the neighborhood and the roar of chainsaws as people worked to clear roads.

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Forecasts have called for more storms across Mississippi in the coming days as well as in parts of Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia. Tuesday’s storms could see winds of up to 70 mph and hail the size of golf balls.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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