17 Apr 2011

Lethal tornadoes and storms move across southern USA

2:38 pm on 17 April 2011

At least 18 people have been killed in the United States by a string of violent storms and tornadoes that swept the southern states over two days.

Authorities in Alabama say all the deaths there were caused when mobile homes were blown off their foundations.

Alabama's Governor has declared a state of emergency.

A tornado-related death also was reported in Mississippi.

Six of the seven fatalities in the state of Arkansas were caused when uprooted trees smashed into houses.

Tennessee was hit by heavy rains and damaging winds, and many homes remain without power.

Storms, some severe, are expected from Florida through eastern and southern Georgia on Sunday.