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Southern US Braces for More Tornadoes as Death Toll Reaches 18

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Damage from an apparent tornado Sunday, January 22 at a farm In Cook County, Georgia.
Damage from an apparent tornado Sunday, January 22 at a farm In Cook County, Georgia.

Severe weather has killed least 18 people in the southern United States, and forecasters warn of more deadly storms to come.

The National Weather Service said Sunday that southern Georgia, northern Florida and the corner of southeastern Alabama could face forceful tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail. Long track tornadoes, which plow on for kilometers, also are a real risk.

Fourteen people were killed and more than 20 injured as violent storms and tornadoes rolled through parts of Georgia over the weekend. Another four people were killed in Mississippi by a tornado on Saturday.

Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia declared a state of emergency in seven counties that suffered deaths, injuries and severe damage from the storms. Deal said that state agencies are "making all resources available'' to affected counties, and that "our thoughts and prayers are with Georgians suffering from the storm's impact.''

President Donald Trump spoke with Governor Deal Sunday to express his condolences about those killed by the powerful tornadoes that ripped through the state.

Trump described the tornadoes as vicious and powerful. He made remarks in the East Room of the White House during his second full day in office, adding that he would talk later to Governor Rick Scott of Florida.

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