5 killed in deadly tornadoes in southern US states

WASHINGTON (AA) – Five people were killed as tornadoes swept through parts of the south early Wednesday, according to local media.

The National Weather Service said the overnight storms passed through the states of Alabama, Tennessee, New Orleans, Mississippi and Louisiana, and a watch would remain in effect until noon (1700GMT) in those areas.

Three people died and one was critically injured in a mobile home in northeastern Alabama, Jackson County Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen told reporters.

He said as many as 20 building are believed to be damaged in the county but did not provide an overall damage scale.

Local media reported two people were killed in Cumberland County, Tennessee, but no details on those deaths have been reported.

In DeKalb County Alabama, four children were reportedly injured at a 24-hour daycare center damaged by the storms, local media reported.