4 dead after tornado rips through south Mississippi

(AP) — Four people were killed, roofs were ripped from homes and churches, and trees were torn from the earth early Saturday when a tornado hitting in the dark of night ripped through a region in southern Mississippi, officials said.

Mayor Johnny DuPree has signed an emergency declaration for the city, which reported "significant injuries" and structural damage.

Equipped with dogs and all-terrain vehicles, they were planning on doing a grid search from police headquarters to nearby William Carey University in one of the most heavily damaged areas.

Hours after the tornado, authorities were still concerned about downed power lines and possible gas leaks and are encouraging people to stay home, said Hattiesburg police Lt. Allen Murray.

Greg Flynn of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said "massive damage" was reported across a three-county area that was struck by a tornado at around 4 a.m.

Photos posted on the university's Twitter feed showed vehicles in a parking lot flipped over and parts of a brick building ripped down.

Flash flood warnings were also in effect for northern Forrest and Lamar counties, as well as southeastern Jones and Marion counties.