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Deadly tornadoes batter southern US states | Deadly tornadoes batter southern US states |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 13 people have died after storms triggered tornadoes and flooding across several southern US states. | |
Tornadoes ripped through Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi on Sunday, while severe storms also hit parts of Alabama and Georgia on Monday. | |
More than 900,000 households were without power on Monday morning local time. | |
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MSEMA) confirmed deaths across three counties on Sunday. | |
US media reported a man in Georgia was killed on Monday morning when a tree fell on a house. | |
In Louisiana, a number of homes were destroyed in the city of Monroe. The city's official social media account initially reported only minor injuries. | |
CNN reports that the storms are moving north, and are threatening to hit states on the East Coast. | |
Sheltering during lockdown | |
In Mississippi, three deaths were confirmed in Jefferson Davis County, two in Lawrence and one in Walthall. | In Mississippi, three deaths were confirmed in Jefferson Davis County, two in Lawrence and one in Walthall. |
Last week, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) issued guidelines for taking shelter during the coronavirus pandemic. | |
The vast majority of residents in the US are under stay-at-home orders. | The vast majority of residents in the US are under stay-at-home orders. |
"Do not let the virus prevent you from seeking refuge from a tornado," the AMS said. | |
It advised making shelter plans in advance in homes or with neighbours, friends or families. | It advised making shelter plans in advance in homes or with neighbours, friends or families. |
Public shelters in many communities are closed because of lockdown measures. | |
MSEMA urged people to continue to follow social distancing guidelines, even if they need to seek safety in a public shelter. | |
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency on Sunday that suspended Covid-19 mitigation measures that may have prevented people from gathering in public shelters in the state. |