At least three dead after tornadoes ripped through the Deep South Monday

Tornadoes left paths of destruction and death across the Deep South Monday, claiming the lives of at least three people.

One death was reported near Alexandria, La., and two others in Town Creek, Ala., near Huntsville. The tornado in Louisiana was on the ground for 63 miles, according to the National Weather Service.

Mississippians experienced severe thunderstorms and readied for tornado strikes throughout the day, starting in Warren and Claiborne counties around 11 a.m. Two major storm systems tore through the state as the systems moved to the east and north.

A tornado touched down in Newman, 12 miles east of Vicksburg, and another in Edwards, in Hinds County.

Michael Logue posted this photo to Facebook of a tornado he spotted at U.S. HIghway 61 and Grand Gulf Road.

The Magnolia State experienced at least 11 tornadoes, reports the Clarion Ledger, with sightings in Amite, Claiborne, Franklin, Hinds, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lincoln, Marion and Smith counties and one near Tupelo.

Seven people were injured in Sumrall, Miss., in Lamar County, none seriously. The Guntown First Baptist Church was destroyed north of Tupelo.

Media across the state have reported multiple incidents of structures destroyed and trees falling on homes and cars. Downed power lines left people without electricity.

@ReedTimmerAccu west of McComb Mississippi pic.twitter.com/9v2FhZCT00

— CNC Chasing (@CncChasing) December 16, 2019

The NWS in Jackson has deployed three survey teams to assess damage in portions of south-southeast Mississippi. The first team is deployed to Lincoln, Franklin, Lawrence and Jefferson Davis counties. The second team deployed to Marion, Lamar and Smith counties. The third team deployed to Jones and Clarke counties. NWS will share the results of their assessments in later public information statements.