A powerful storm ripped two holes in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, holding up the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament men for a little over an hour as a possible tornado swept the city.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Fulton County, Georgia, at 10:26 pm New York time yesterday, which is a storm capable of producing 60 mph winds and hail the size of nickels. Officials have not determined whether there was a tornado.
The storm sent large pieces of the stage of the siding from the ground outside the building as smaller debris fell inside the arena. Windows shattered at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center and near the stage, and debris littering the streets and hung on trees around the stadium and the nearby Philips Arena.
A water main also broke out in the Georgia World Congress Center, which was heavily damaged by the storm, CNN said.
Several minor injuries were reported by Atlanta's Fox TV 5, and a life-threatening injury was reported by CNN.
Several people who were interviewed, as well as the game of the court on the side of the reviewers, said the passage storm sounded like a freight train.
Alabama Mississippi State led 64-61 with 2 minutes and 11 seconds before the end of overtime at United's largest indoor sports facility when the storm stopped the game as the side of the building and blew open the ceiling scaffolding swayed .
`` When the first arrived, I looked up and saw everything was rocking,''Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said at a televised press conference after the match. `` I did not know what it was. I just knew something was happening and wanted to get our team out.''
Mississippi State Wins
The teams retreated to their locker room, where they spent many an hour, 4 minutes late trying to get in touch with family and friends in the arena of the game.
At the resumption of play, Mississippi State hung on to win 69-67 when the Alabama Mykal Riley narrowly missed a 3-point attempt as a function of time elapsed.
The Georgia Dome, which opened in 1992, is the largest cable-supported dome stadium in the world. It is the home of the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons.
The game between Kentucky and Georgia, which has been delayed to follow the match was postponed. This game will be played this morning at Georgia Tech's arena with the winner taking the Mississippi State later in the day, ESPN reported.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Fulton County, Georgia, at 10:26 pm New York time yesterday, which is a storm capable of producing 60 mph winds and hail the size of nickels. Officials have not determined whether there was a tornado.
The storm sent large pieces of the stage of the siding from the ground outside the building as smaller debris fell inside the arena. Windows shattered at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center and near the stage, and debris littering the streets and hung on trees around the stadium and the nearby Philips Arena.
A water main also broke out in the Georgia World Congress Center, which was heavily damaged by the storm, CNN said.
Several minor injuries were reported by Atlanta's Fox TV 5, and a life-threatening injury was reported by CNN.
Several people who were interviewed, as well as the game of the court on the side of the reviewers, said the passage storm sounded like a freight train.
Alabama Mississippi State led 64-61 with 2 minutes and 11 seconds before the end of overtime at United's largest indoor sports facility when the storm stopped the game as the side of the building and blew open the ceiling scaffolding swayed .
`` When the first arrived, I looked up and saw everything was rocking,''Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said at a televised press conference after the match. `` I did not know what it was. I just knew something was happening and wanted to get our team out.''
Mississippi State Wins
The teams retreated to their locker room, where they spent many an hour, 4 minutes late trying to get in touch with family and friends in the arena of the game.
At the resumption of play, Mississippi State hung on to win 69-67 when the Alabama Mykal Riley narrowly missed a 3-point attempt as a function of time elapsed.
The Georgia Dome, which opened in 1992, is the largest cable-supported dome stadium in the world. It is the home of the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons.
The game between Kentucky and Georgia, which has been delayed to follow the match was postponed. This game will be played this morning at Georgia Tech's arena with the winner taking the Mississippi State later in the day, ESPN reported.