At least 23 people have died after a spate of tornadoes abruptly hit several southern states, fuelled by severe weather.
All the reported deaths were in Lee County, Alabama, while damage was also reported in Georgia and Florida.
A tornado watch was also issued for a large area of South Carolina on Sunday.
Large scale damage described as ‘catastrophic’ hit Southern Alabama with most deaths occurring within a five-mile area near Opelika.
"We have a pretty significant area of damage," said sheriff Jay Jones, adding that children are among the fatalities.
Jones said the death toll could rise with several injured seriously and some residents still unaccounted for.
Sunday was the deadliest day for tornadoes in the US in more than two years, the Weather Channel said.
Dangerous storms with strong low lying winds and thunderstorms have fueled the twisters uprooting trees and knocking out power.
A number of buildings were destroyed in Georgia and the National Weather Service in Tallahassee said there was some damage in Florida.
Eufaula Municipal Airport in Alabama was destroyed along with several parked jets, the National Weather Service said.
