At least seven dead as a storm system hits the southern United States with a tornado leaving destruction in Alabama | US news

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At least six people were killed in the state of Alabama and one person in Georgia as a result of a powerful storm that swept across the southern United States, resulting in a major tornado that destroyed dozens of homes.

Six of the deaths were reported in the community of Old Kingston in Autauga County, which spanned several properties.

Local officials said at least 12 people were taken to hospital there.

Between 40 and 50 homes were damaged by the severe weather, Ernie Paget, director of emergency management for Ouja, told the Associated Press, with the tornado described as “very large and dangerous.”

The death in Georgia was of a passenger who was sitting in a car when a tree fell on her in Jackson, said Butts County Coroner Lacy Brough.

Local media reported that the victim was a five-year-old child, quoting county officials.

Image: Property in Selma was damaged by the storm. Pic: AP

Windows blew out

But Alabama has been hardest hit by the severe weather so far.

Real estate in the city of Salma was affected – pictures showed scenes of destruction in residential areas, where strong winds tore off walls and broken roofs.

Former Senator Hank Sanders said there was damage “all over” the city of about 18,000.

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0:49 American tornado: “This used to be my mom’s house!”

“Selma was definitely destroyed by a hurricane,” he added.

“Actually, it hit our house, but not head-on. It blew out the windows in the bedroom and living room.

“It’s raining through the kitchen ceiling.”

Cars were blown away and trees uprooted by the high winds, and a citywide curfew was imposed.

There have been no reports of deaths in Salma so far.

“People were injured, but there were no fatalities,” said Mayor James Perkins.

“We have a lot of downed power lines. There is a lot of danger on the streets.”

Photo: Pic: Mike Goodall via AP

‘life threatening situation’

The Alabama tornado was one of 33 tornadoes reported by the National Weather Service Thursday night, with warnings remaining in place for Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina through the night.

“This is a life-threatening situation. Take cover immediately,” the weather service said of the Alabama tornado.

Tens of thousands of homes were left without power, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages, including more than 50,000 in Alabama and more than 100,000 in Georgia.

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