Tornado Touches Down in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Damage including at the University of Southern Mississippi (VIDEO)

TORNADO TOUCHES DOWN IN HATTISBURG, MS …

The National Weather Service is stating that emergency officials are reporting that a large tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  Forrest County Fire Coordinator Chip Brown says there is major damage in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. So far it has been reported that there is wide spread damage and at least 3 people have been injured. The National Weather Service meteorologist Joanne Culin says there have also been reports of injuries in Marion County. Robert Latham, director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency stated that there were reports of significant damage in Hattiesburg, where the tornado touched down. The city is home to the University of Southern Mississippi.

YouTube Video: Rynal Grant

As the storm system moved east, tornado warnings remained in effect for parts of southeastern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama.

Pictures of tornado and damage can be seen HERE on Twitter.

UPDATE I: More VIDEO of the tornado touchdown in Hattiesburg, MS.

UPDATE II:  Officials state that major damage to several buildings including those located on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi.

The university released a statement saying that several buildings had been damaged but that no injuries were reported. Campus police have declared a state of emergency and asked anyone not on campus to stay away.

Video by CBS affiliate WHLT-TV shows the heavy damage to the university, including busted windows, wood panels strewn on the lawn and fallen fences.

The storm overturned and damaged vehicles and threw debris around parts of the campus.