Authorities: Large tornado damages homes near Tupelo, Miss., no injuries immediately reported

JACKSON, Miss. – Authorities say a large tornado has damaged homes and down trees and power lines around the northern Mississippi city of Tupelo.

Don Lewis, chief operations officer for the city, says there were no immediate reports of injuries. He says damages have been reported in several neighbourhoods north of the city and emergency crews have spread out to aid residents with recovery.

Areas of western Tupelo also reported some homes damaged and downed trees when the tornado moved past. Forecasters say the tornado sprang for a severe storm front sweeping across the northern part of the state.

Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency Monday in advance of expected storms that forecasters have warned could trigger tornadoes, heavy downpours, damaging hail and flash floods.