The south-eastern US state of Mississippi is reeling after series of powerful tornadoes ripped through the region, killing at least 10 people.
The storms tore a devastating path through 17 counties, where a state of emergency has now been declared. Wind speeds were estimated to be about 150 miles per hour (240kph).
The state governor said there was "utter obliteration" in Yazoo County, where three people died, and the Hillcrest Baptist church was flattened.
The military was drafted in to help in the search and rescue operation, essential for Yazoo City, the epicentre of the storm, where homes and businesses were reduced to rubble.
Officials fear the death toll may rise as people search through the rubble for survivors.
High winds and driving rain even overturned traffic on the roads and interstate highways.
Many counties in Mississippi were affected by the severe weather, with warnings from the US weather service that more storms were developing.
Although tornadoes were reported in the states of Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama, Mississippi was hit the hardest.
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One-Minute World News
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