Obama declares national disaster in Mississippi
US president Barack Obama has declared a national disaster in Mississippi following a massive tornado that badly damaged a college campus and damaged or destroyed more than 800 homes in the southern part of the state.
Mr Obama ordered government aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in counties affected by Sunday’s tornado and the resulting severe weather.
The National Weather Service said the tornado had maximum winds of 170mph and forged a path three quarters of a mile wide.
Officials say it will take tens of millions of dollars to repair damage at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
