NATCHEZ &045; High winds during a storm here Friday night are believed to have blown down the wrought-iron gates recently installed at the

Natchez City Cemetery entrance, an official said.

&uot;The wind broke the gates off at the hinges.

It must have been a wind shear,&uot; said cemetery director Don Estes.

Two large pecan trees &045; one in the cemetery and another on adjoining property &045; were also toppled during the storm, and several flower vases were blown over in the cemetery, Estes said.

Estes said he was advised of the damage Saturday morning, and a welder has already been contacted to repair the gates.

&uot;It will probably be Tuesday before we can get the repairs made.

Hopefully, we can get it repaired with some heavier hinges,&uot; he said.

Estes said a chain will be used to close the entrance after visiting hours until the repairs are completed.

&uot;I just want everyone to know that nobody got out while the gates were down,&uot; Estes joked.