Severe storms strike Southeast

Associated Press

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) - Severe storms are sweeping across the Southeast today, and authorities in Mississippi say an apparent tornado damaged a shopping mall in Tupelo.

There have been no reports of injuries.

A number of counties in northeastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama remain under tornado watches or warnings. Forecasters say strong winds along the coast could generate rip currents, but the main threats are hail and damaging winds. They're also saying the storm is likely to stall over northern Alabama.

The low pressure weather system that's creating the storms struck Oklahoma yesterday. Experts are trying to determine whether any tornadoes touched down.

One reported in southern Oklahoma (near Paoli) apparently lifted a mobile home off the ground with a woman and her son inside. Emergency officials say the woman suffered broken toes and some bruises, while the boy was not hurt. They say the woman managed to get the boy into a closet before the storm hit.