TUPELO, Miss., May 8 (UPI) -- Severe storms raced through Oklahoma and Mississippi Wednesday and early Thursday, spawning high winds and possible tornadoes but no casualties, officials said.
The storms caused widespread damage and power outages in Oklahoma City and Tupelo, Miss., and then headed for the rest of the Southeast. Storms also raked Texas, Louisiana and southwest Missouri, The Weather Channel reported.
In Pauls Valley, Okla., a tornado obliterated a double-wide mobile home late Wednesday, burying a family under the debris, The Oklahoman reported. Garvin County Undersheriff Steven Brooks said the family received only minor injuries.
Near Oklahoma City, several tornadoes were reported by spotters but damage in the area was attributed to straight-line winds
. A tornado toppled trees in Bethany, damaging several cars at Southern Nazarene University, Police Chief Phil Cole told The Oklahoman.
Swadley's Bar B-Q owner Brent Swadley said he herded everyone into the bathrooms when the storm struck.
"I was in my office when I could feel the pressure in the windows and the glass moved about one to two inches. I looked out and saw a funnel with clouds turning right here," Swadley said. "It was like being in a tin can. The pressure was extreme and we knew it was there, it was obvious."
AccuWeather.com said the storms moved into the Mississippi Valley Thursday and could pass through Nashville, Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., before Friday morning.
