Tupelo Tornado*

The news channel told us to get into shelters about 20 minutes ahead of time. We had about 8 neighbors come over to the shelter this time. After about 30 minutes in the shelter it sounded like it was over. At one point several of us thought we heard the wind roaring. The hail kept pinging on the vents so it was hard to hear much else. When  I went back in the house the news channels were off the air till about 11:00 PM. The Tornado was around 3 PM. I couldn't get on the Internet or see the news channels until about 11:00 PM. What I saw where I could drive was minor. I heard that the North Gloster and Joyner areas were hit hard but they were blocked off by police and I couldn't see anything. I did see some damage to buildings and large trees broken off, power lines down but this was on the outskirts of the real damage. The news personnel made it out just before the station went off air. Most of North Tupelo was still without power tonight including the mall area. On the weather channel you could see the line of Green and red and whatever other colors they have on their screens and you could see it was moving toward Tupelo. He said it will hit Tupelo in about 19 minutes and that was accurate. I think that was about 2:30 when the weather man said that. It hit shortly before 3 PM. At the house we just had a lot of rain and some hail. The ground was sopping wet when it was over.  At least you have a warning and can be in shelter ahead of time. There are also loud sirens that go off when a tornado is spotted. We also get a weather call on the house phone and the cell phones. It is amazing to me to hear the weather man say this spot here is a tornado, right now its at about 113 miles an hour in the air above ground, moving about 55 miles an hour. towards us and should be here in about 19 minutes.  They urged everyone to get in your shelter now. Then in about 30 minutes its over except for more rain. Actually the storm system  that spawned this Tornado stretches from Louisiana up in a North easterly direction into Tennessee and beyond. We will be listening for the Siren tonight as this storm system is still active. Unfortunately, one person was killed in a weather related accident and I heard 6 people went to the hospital with minor injuries. One lady was killed in a traffic accident on Palmetto Road which is near our house, I am not sure if this is the same person they reported as a storm fatality. This tornado was 3 years and a day from the Smithville Tornado.  All is well here.  I hear they have national guard in the area. I would like to see the devastation for myself but I believe they still have the areas blocked off. It does not sound like there was any loss of life other than the one killed in a traffic accident, here in Tupelo. Thank God. The news has said 11 killed in storm area.  God bless, LVZ.