Weather stalls SEC Tourney

Weather stalls SEC Tourney
Team may have to play twice today.

Published Saturday, March 15, 2008

ATLANTA (AP) - A severe storm ripped into the Georgia Dome during the Southeastern Conference Tournament, sending debris tumbling from the ceiling, prompting fans to flee for the exits and postponing the final game last night.

The storm struck while Alabama and Mississippi State were in overtime in their quarterfinal matchup. They were able to finish after a delay of more than an hour - Mississippi State won 69-67 - but the last game between Georgia and Kentucky was called off because of concerns that more strong storm cells were closing in on downtown.

The SEC was considering the unprecedented scenario of playing three games today, with the Georgia-Kentucky winner having to return later in the day for a semifinal game against Mississippi State.

The National Weather Service wasn’t sure if a tornado struck the 16-year-old dome, but everyone sure thought that way after a loud rumbling noise swept over the building. The fabric roof rippled like waves in the ocean, while scaffolding, catwalks and a temporary video board swayed dangerously over the crowded stands.

Metal bolts and washers fell from the roof, while two cloth panels above the upper deck tore open. Outside, large chunks of insulation and metal panels - some as long as 25 feet - were blown off the building.

There were no reports of injuries inside the stadium, SEC associate commissioner Charles Bloom said.

The Alabama-Mississippi State game was stopped with the Bulldogs leading 64-61 and 2:11 left in overtime.

Both teams were sent to the locker room and some fans hurried away from their seats. Those who remained looked anxiously at the Teflon-coated Fiberglas fabric roof, which is designed to flex slightly during high winds but was rippling heavily in the storm.

"I thought it was a tornado or a terrorist attack," said Mississippi State guard Ben Hansbrough, who was guarding Alabama’s Mykal Riley when the rumbling began above their heads.

The weather service said the wind was clocked at up to 60 mph as the storm moved through the city. Another set of possibly severe storms were expected to hit Atlanta after midnight.

"Due to continuing severe weather in the area and the fear of further damage to the dome, the decision was made to postpone tonight’s game between Kentucky and Georgia," Bloom said.

He was the building was deemed structurally sound when Alabama and Mississippi State resumed play, though huge chunks or debris were piled up on the sidewalks surrounding the 70,000-seat stadium and a breeze could be felt blowing through the inside.

"We urge you to remain calm and here in the Georgia Dome until the storm has passed," the stadium’s public address announcer said.

Fans and at least one reporter on press row said metal bolts and washers fell from the ceiling.