There are reports of multiple fatalities after a wave of tornadoes devastated parts of the South, authorities said.
Storms started Thursday and continued well into the evening. In all, there were 23 tornado reports -- 17 in Alabama, five in Georgia and one in Mississippi -- according to the National Weather Service. Teams will inspect the areas to confirm which were hit by tornadoes.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center had said there's a high risk of tornadoes -- a level 5 out of 5 -- for much of northern Alabama, including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. That's the worst and highest forecast outlook issued for severe storms. And while it's very rare for the Storm Prediction Center to issue this kind of outlook, it's now the second time in a week for the South.
