At Least Seven Killed and Dozens of Homes Destroyed in Severe Storm System Sweeping Through the South

At least seven people have been killed and dozens of homes destroyed in Butts County, Georgia and Autauga County, Alabama, after a severe storm system swept through the South on Thursday.

The storm system, which included at least 34 preliminary tornado reports, caused destruction in Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky. In Autauga County, Alabama, six people were killed and 40 homes were damaged or destroyed. In Butts County, Georgia, one person was killed and several homes were damaged.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey expressed her condolences for the victims in a tweet, saying, “My prayers are with their loved ones and communities.”

Ernie Baggett, emergency management agency director in Autauga County, Alabama, said the tornado’s destruction traversed a path of about 20 miles in the communities of Old Kingston and Marbury. Search and rescue operations were suspended at about 8 p.m. local time, but will resume Friday.

The storm system has caused widespread destruction across the South, and authorities are continuing to assess the damage. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida until 4 a.m. local time Friday.