That place is huge and I would have been so scared!
A severe storm ripped away two panels in the side of the Georgia Dome during the Southeastern Conference tournament, sending debris tumbling from the ceiling, halting the Alabama-Mississippi State game and prompting fans to flee for the exits.
The teams were sent to the locker rooms, while those who remained at their seats looked anxiously toward the roof. The game was stopped with Mississippi State leading 64-61 with 2:11 left in overtime. Mississippi State won 69-67.
It wasn't immediately known if a tornado struck the 16-year-old building, though a roaring noise was heard inside as the severe storm moved through downtown Atlanta.
"I thought it was a tornado or a terrorist attack," said Mississippi State guard Ben Hansbrough, who was guarding Alabama's Mykal Riley when a rumbling noise was heard from above.
Both teams stopped and looked toward the Teflon-coated Fiberglas fabric roof, which is designed to flex slightly during high winds, but was rippling heavily in the storm, much like waves rolling toward the shore. Metal scaffolding and a temporary video board, connected to the roof as part of the setup for playing basketball in the 70,000-seat stadium, were swaying noticeably.
The Associated Press: Storm Rips Holes in Georgia Dome