In Smithville, Mississippi, many buildings were ripped open, including a church, the city hall and the post office.

BBC: US tornadoes: Barack Obama shocked by devastation

So if there's not a picket line in Smithville and that's where the conference is, we'll go to the conference.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

"Schools understand that students want to leave their mark on the way out the door, but a better way to do that is to take up a donation and plant an oak tree, " said Mark Goulet, a lawyer for the school board in Smithville, Texas, where students last month were suspended after a cafeteria food fight involving burritos.

WSJ: Pranks Test High Schools' Patience