US tornadoes kill 16

Devastating tornadoes ripped through the US states of Alabama, Tennessee and Ohio, killing at least 16 people, trapping others in damaged buildings and leaving thousands without power.

The toll early today included at least six deaths in Alabama, five in Tennessee and five in Ohio. Dozens were injured, and authorities expected the number of victims to grow as they pick through the damage scattered across the region.

One of the hardest-hit areas was Mossy Grove, Tennessee, where a tornado touched down at about 3am Irish time.

“It’s mass destruction, death,” said Ken Morgan, a policeman in nearby Oliver Springs. “Mossy Grove is destroyed ... We’re just getting bits and pieces right now, but there are several dead and several missing.”

Much of the damage was initially believed to be concentrated in Tennessee and Ohio, but reports began to emerge that devastating storms had struck Alabama as well.

At least six people were killed in the northern part of the state, and at least 26 others were injured.

The storms caused 25 injuries in Tennessee, and at least 21 were injured in Ohio, where a weather spotter saw at least four twisters hit rural north-western Van Wert County.

Two deaths were reported in the county, including one person who died after being thrown from a car during the storm. Two people were killed and one critically injured when a mobile home overturned, said police Sergeant Brad Nelson. As the storm moved east, a house collapsed in Seneca County, killing one person inside and injuring two others.

Tennessee Governor Bob Taft declared a state of emergency in Van Wert and Ottawa counties, though storms brought down power lines, closed roads and poured golf ball-sized hail in many areas of the state.

Brian Farris, of Van Wert, said he saw a tornado level a house just outside the city.

“It pulled everything off, set it down, then threw it in a field,” he said. “It was on the ground at least a mile.”

People fled their homes to seek shelter in the basement of a convenience store and in a high school.

“I looked up and this big pine tree was coming right at me,” said Larry Longwell, who ran from his trailer to the store. “It was just a rumble.”

Tens of thousands of homes were without power throughout the region.