Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Thunderstorms produced large hail and tornado warnings across parts of Mississippi Tuesday, as officials warned that severe weather could threaten the state through the night.

Weather officials upgraded warnings Tuesday afternoon, saying much of northern Mississippi had a moderate chance of tornadoes.

At least three tornado warnings were issued, but no reports of injuries or damages to buildings had been received by late Tuesday afternoon. Some trees and power lines were reported down in eastern Rankin County after a tornado was spotted on the ground there, a sheriff's dispatcher said.

National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Bryant said observers are reporting baseball- and golf ball-sized hail hitting central and north Mississippi as several powerful storms move across the state Tuesday.

"Hail of that size is more usual with storms in the plains, but not rare in central Mississippi. November is our secondary severe weather season and any time you get a super cell, you've got the potential for hail and in this case, we're seeing it," Bryant said.

Bryant said Mississippi faces a severe weather threat "well into the night."

Forecasters also said storms could produce straight-line winds above 60 mph.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency warned people to monitor weather alerts and for mobile home residents to spend the night somewhere else.

Windy storms downed trees across the state Monday, producing isolated damage. More than an inch of rain fell throughout the northern parts of Mississippi, peaking at nearly 3 inches in Meridian.

In Eden, a tree plunged through the roof of the town hall.

Eden Mayor Lekisha Hogan says she and City Clerk Sarah Taylor were inside Monday afternoon when Taylor heard a tree crack. Seconds later, a branch speared through the ceiling.

Hogan says the 126-resident town has no property insurance and has little income except from water sales. She says she's seeking assistance, as well as temporary quarters.

"We can't afford to take out a loan to get this building repaired," Hogan said.

Scattered damage was reported in 25 counties, including roofs blown off houses in the rural, east-Mississippi community of Nanih Waiya and an apartment complex in Columbus.