Greg Flynn, communications director for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said the tornado, which was confirmed and seen on the ground, touched down in the area of U.S. 49 and Highway 11 and traveled south.
"There are a lot of subdivisions in the path of the tornado," Flynn said. "There is extensive home damage and it happened just a few blocks from downtown."
The National Weather Service is sending in a team to determine the strength of the tornado, Flynn said.
A Mississippi Power Co.spokesman said about 9,100 people were without power immediately after the tornado passed. By 1:30 p.m., that number was reduced to 4,000.
Damage can be seen along U.S. 49 just after the Pearl River Community College satellite campus. Power was out Saturday, trees snapped about 3 feet from the ground and siding from homes is stuck in the tops of trees. First responders were directing traffic where lights are out.
Glenn Moore, the emergency management director for Forrest County, said the twister touched down about 3:30 a.m., damaging businesses and homes.
Moore said three people were killed in mobile homes and one in a house, and at least 25 were reported injured. Moore said he thinks the number of injured will increase.
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