Lowndes Officials Reflect on Close Call

LOWNDES, Miss. (WCBI) — Lowndes County officials are counting a few blessings this week after a possible tornado missed two major industrial sites Monday evening.

A funnel cloud or straight line winds missed both KiOR and Baldor Electric on the Island in Columbus.

Port Authority Director John Hardy says if the storm had gone 300 yards in either direction, the plants, Port facilities and barges docked on the Tombigbee would have taken a direct hit.

Wood was scattered in KiOR’s wood yard and power poles knocked out electricity until 10 Tuesday morning.