By By: Sola Omoniyi
Nine killed as deadly tornado hit US
No fewer than 9 persons has been confirmed dead in a deadly tornado which swept through central Alabama, knocking over trees and destroying homes, leaving rescue teams to search for missing people in the aftermath
A massive storm system sweeping across the United States struck with severe winds and numerous tornadoes, killing at least nine people in Alabama and Georgia.
In Alabama’s Autauga County, northwest of Montgomery, at least seven people died due to the severe weather, state officials said.
“Multiple” other people were hospitalized and about 40 to 50 homes were either damaged or destroyed, the county emergency management agency confirmed.
In Georgia’s Butts County, southeast of Atlanta, a 5-year-old boy died after a tree fell on a car he was in. One of the boy’s parents was in critical condition following the incident
“We know we’ve had multiple tornadoes across the state. The damage is literally statewide in different places,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said during a press briefing on Friday. “This storm moved all across our state.”
The Selma Mayor’s Office said the twister delivered “significant damage” to the city’s historic downtown.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency for six counties — including Dallas County, which encompasses Selma, and Autauga County — “that were in the path of Mother Nature’s wrath,” the governor tweeted.
