Severe storm spawns a series of devastating tornadoes across South and Midwest US

A major storm accompanied with a series of deadly tornadoes battered the South and Midwest US on December 23, 2015. At least 7 people have been reported dead and many more injured.

According to preliminary reports at least 14 tornadoes have touched the grounds across Mississippi, Matt Mosier, a meteorologist at the Storm Prediction Center said.

A massive, deadly tornado was reported in northern Mississippi on the day preceding Christmas Eve. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a tornado touchdown was observed near Clarksdale after which the storm continued to sweep the area on the top of the state while moving further into Tennessee. The tornado raced for over half an hour while crossing about 160 km (100 miles).

Video credit: Meteo Tube

Three people have died in the area while two more deaths and two missing people were reported in Perry County, Tennessee, according to Gary Rogers, the commonwealth's emergency management director. Three homes have been destroyed in the region.

One more death was reported on the morning of December 23 (local time) in Arkansas.

On the night of December 23, the Storm Prediction Center warned about the high tornado risk for the rest of the day across the grounds of middle Tennessee, far southern Kentucky and portions of northern Alabama and northeast Mississippi. From Alabama to Maine heavy rainfall was reported.

Media reports buildings in Sardis and Holly Springs suffered extensive damage, and at least 40 people sustained injuries in six counties across Mississippi. Four people were injured in the area of Bellview in Coahoma County. Three houses in Como sustained major damage, and one was completely destroyed.

One more person died in Arkansas on December 23, as a tree fell through the roof of the house.

Featured image: Massive tornado sweeps Mississippi, December 23, 2015. Image credit: Meteo Tube