At least three dead as tornadoes tear through Deep South

“I can confirm two fatalities and houses or mobile homes were destroyed,” said Town Creek, Alabama, Mayor Mike Parker.

Downed trees and power outages were left in the wake of the powerful storms, which prompted some cities to open up shelters. The severe weather could last into the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The Louisiana death occurred in a residential area of Vernon Parish, although Chief Deputy Calvin Turner said not many details are known. Turner said there are fears that others may have been hurt, as rescue crews are still working to reach certain areas due to downed trees and power lines blocking the roads.

“We’ve got damage at lots of places. We’ve got a church where the fellowship hall is torn all to pieces. Some homes are hit,” Turner said. “Right now we’re having trouble just getting to places because of trees that are down.”

Meteorologist Donald Jones said that one of the tornadoes left an “absolutely ridiculous” trail that is estimated to be about 63 miles long.

Three additional people were injured, one very seriously, by a tornado in Amite County, Mississippi, county emergency director Grant McCurley said.

“We’ve got multiple houses with severe damage and a few houses that are completely destroyed,” he said.

Seven women from a group home were taken to the hospital in Sumrall, Mississippi, after the building sustained severe damage from the weather.

Images emerged on social media Monday as storms and tornadoes continue to pummel the Deep South.