Significant storm damage in Hattiesburg, Miss.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Emergency officials say an apparent tornado has caused significant damage in Hattiesburg, Miss., after passing along a main road.

Forrest County Fire Coordinator Chip Brown says there is major damage in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. He couldn't confirm injuries.

He said the damage was still being evaluated, but that the storm passed along a main Hattiesburg thoroughfare.

National Weather Service meteorologist Joanne Culin says there have also been reports of injuries in Marion County.

Nasty weather has settled in on much of Louisiana and Mississippi, including tornado or flash flood watches.

The National Weather Service says bad weather is likely to stretch into Fat Tuesday in southeast Louisiana. Jefferson Parish has canceled a Monday night parade.