Posted Wednesday, November 16, 2011 --- 12:25 p.m.

LAUREL, Miss. (AP) -- A strong storm system hitting the Southeast has damaged dozens of homes and buildings and at least 15 people have been injured in Mississippi.

Suspected tornadoes were reported in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Four homes were damaged in western Alabama, about 60 miles southwest of Tuscaloosa. It's the worst bout of weather for that state since about 250 people were killed during a tornado outbreak in April.

In southeastern Mississippi, just one of the 15 people injured had to go to the hospital. But Jones County emergency director Don McKinnon says some people were briefly trapped in their homes as trees fell on them and mobile homes were tossed off their foundations.

Tornado warnings and watches are being issued in nearby states as the severe weather moves east.

Copyright 2011. The Associated Press.