Tornadoes: Death Toll In US South Rises To 11

Tornadoes in the US have killed at least 11 people, as severe weather systems continue to lash the US.

Officials said seven people died on Monday night in Mississippi, two in Alabama and two more in Tennessee.

It brings the death toll from the storms for the last two days to 28.

Weather forecasters said the storm system that has caused the havoc is on its way to Birmingham, Alabama, and then may head towards Georgia.

Republican state senator for Louisville, Mississippi, Giles Ward, was among those who lost his home after apparently having to cower in his bathroom as the twister went overhead.

Volunteers begin to clear trees off cars in Tupelo, Mississippi

He, his wife, his daughter, son-in-law, two granddaughters and his dog survived unscathed but his home was destroyed. A picture posted online showed his wrecked SUV turned upside down.

Tens of thousands of householders were left without power in Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi.

Six people died in Winston County, Mississippi, including a woman who died in the day care centre she owned in Louisville.

Authorities said it was not known if any children were in the day care centre at the time. Another was reported to have been killed elsewhere in the state.

In Tennessee, two people were killed in a home in Lincoln County, which borders Alabama in the south of the state. Winds destroyed several other homes, as well as a middle school.

A map showing the states affected by Tornadoes

In northern Alabama, a further two deaths have been confirmed after a tornado caused major damage to the city of Athens. Rescuers were unable to reach some areas due to downed power lines.

The severe weather comes after a series of tornadoes and violent storms lashed central and mid-western states on Sunday.

Seventeen people were confirmed dead from those storms, during which more than a dozen tornadoes damaged buildings, overturned trucks and brought down trees.

Aerial photos of the devastation in Vilonia, Arkansas, showed piles of debris where houses once stood and a line carved out into the ground indicating the path taken by the twister.

National Guard troops have been mobilised in the worst-hit areas and rescue crews continue to search debris for victims.

Across the country, tornadoes have struck Arkansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Louisiana.

Severe storms have struck many US states in recent days

Officials said they expect the overall death toll to rise as crews continue to sift through debris.

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe said officials did not yet have a count of the missing.

Vilonia Mayor James Firestone said: "It's chaos right now."

Authorities have also yet to put a figure on the number who have lost their homes, but it is expected to be hundreds, if not more.

President Barack Obama, who is currently in the Philippines, pledged federal assistance to the hard-hit communities.

He said: "Your country will be there to help you recover and rebuild, as long as it takes."

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