The Caterpillar plant located on County Road 1032, near the intersection of Highways 101 and 7 in Oxford, was partially destroyed when a funnel cloud touched down nearby. According to DM photographers on the scene, a number of police, fire and rescue vehicles were there to help evacuate at least 100 people from the site, which was declared a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) zone after a gas leak was discovered shortly after 6 p.m.
Calls came across the police scanner at the Student Media Center that indicated homes in the area – including a spot on County Road 291 – also had heavy damage, and crews were working on clearing debris in the surrounding roads just before 9 p.m.
Funnel cloud sightings were also reported in the College Hill Road area around 6 p.m., though reports of any damage there have yet to come in.
Power remains out in several locations around town, including Anderson and Anchorage Roads.
We'll keep you updated of the current weather conditions and damage throughout the night via this blog. In the meantime, check out TheDMonline.com for photos and listen to 92.1 Rebel Radio in the Oxford area for up-to-the-minute reports.
