Dozens killed as storms hit southern US

Fierce storms have obliterated large swaths of land across the southern United States, wiping out homes and businesses. At least 85 people have been killed in five states, a number that is likely to increase.

One of the hardest-hit areas was Tuscaloosa in the state of Alabama, a city of
more than 83,000 and home to the University of Alabama. The city's police and other emergency services were devastated, and at least 15 people were killed and about 100 were injured in a single hospital. Debris left roads impassable.

US President Barack Obama said he had spoken with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance, including search and rescue assets. About 1,400 National Guard soldiers were being deployed around the state.

“We’re going to reach out to everyone that’s hurting and it’s going to take days – or weeks – it’s not going to be a quick response,” said Governor Bentley.

Deaths were also reported in Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia. The storm system spread destruction from Texas to New York, where dozens of roads were flooded or washed out.

Violent weather has pummelled much of the U.S. South this month. Two weeks ago, some 47 people died as storms tore a wide path from Oklahoma to North Carolina.

Listen to report by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: