TORNADOES and thunderstorms have carved a trail of destruction across the southern US, killing over 220 people in one of the country’s worst weather disasters in years, officials said.

An Air France jet missing with 228 people - including three Irish citizens - on board ran into a towering wall of thunderstorms over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said tonight.

The 2006 US hurricane season, which runs from May 15 to November 30, will be more active than normal but not as busy as last year, a weather company announced.

The 2006 US hurricane season – which runs from May 15 to November 30 – will be more active than normal but not as busy as last year, a weather company announced tonight.