5:30 P.M. UPDATE

VIDALIA — Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies reported seeing a tornado near the parish courthouse, said Homeland Security Director Payne Scott, but it has not been verified by the National Weather Service Office in Jackson.

“It came through, bouncing around and going up and down,” Scott said the deputies told him. “There has been damage to some of the outside buildings around it.”

Joanne Culin, meteorologist, said there have been reports of wind damage and hail in the area, but the service has not been able to confirm a tornado.

Scott said U.S. 84 is back open as of 5 p.m. The road had been closed with power lines down over it. More than 2000 people are without power in the parish.

He has heard reports of damage to buildings in Ferriday and Ridgecrest, but has not heard anything about Vidalia or the south side of the parish just yet.

In Adams County, Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford said Adams County did not experience a tornado.

“We had a severe thunderstorm with damaging winds and hail but no tornadic activity,” he said. “It was a fast-moving cell that charged through north and central Adams County.”

—

NATCHEZ — Adams County and Concordia Parish are under a severe thunderstorm warning until approximately 5 p.m.

Wind damage has been reported in Natchez, with damage to buildings on Main Street in Natchez, as well as roof damage to Rivergate Bowling Alley.

In Vidalia, downed trees and power lines have been reported across Concordia Parish.

Outbuildings at the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office were also damaged by strong gusts of winds, CPSO Chief Deputy David Hedrick said.

A National Weather Service meteorologist said the most severe weather threat and highest winds are expected to move through between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. After that, the atmosphere should stabilize.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 8 p.m.

Entergy Customer Service Manager Tim Runnels said approximately 2,000 Entergy customers are currently without power.