Seven dead as at least 20 tornadoes hit southern US states

At least 20 tornadoes have devastated parts of southern US states, leaving at least seven dead and homes destroyed. Tornadoes touched down in the states of Indiana and Mississippi and spring-like storms packed strong winds in Tennessee. One tornado damaged or destroyed at least 20 homes in the northwest part of Mississippi. House-by-house searches are being conducted amid fears more casualties will be discovered. So far, four people have been killed in Mississippi, including a seven-year-old. Two are dead in Tennessee and one in Arkansas.

I’m looking at some horrific damage right now. Sheet metal is wrapped around trees; there are overturned airplanes; a building is just destroyed.

Bill Luckett, mayor of Clarksdale in Mississippi

There have been reports of at least 20 tornadoes across the south, of varying severity. In the city of Clarksdale, Mississippi, planes at a small airport overturned and an unknown number of people were injured. Footage filmed by a local volunteer group showed a dark twister travelling through Clarksdale at high speed. Interstate 55 was closed in both directions as the tornado approached, the Mississippi Highway Patrol said.

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