Georgia Storms: At least 11 Dead in US State
Severe weather has killed 11 people and injured 23 in the US state of Georgia, emergency officials said.
Tornado warnings were issued for parts of the state overnight on Saturday, while flash floods are feared in the north.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency said almost a dozen had died in the southern Cook, Brooks and Berrien counties.
It did not confirm whether tornadoes were responsible.
Swathes of the south-eastern United States have been hit by storms over the weekend.
In southern Mississippi, four people died in the path of a tornado with winds above 218 km/h (136 mph).
The National Weather Service in Atlanta/Peachtree City said a “significant tornado outbreak” was expected on Sunday around the Florida-Georgia border, with storms expected from noon onwards.
In a tweet, it said rainfall had been significant in the past 24 hours, with the city of Charlotte getting 13.6cm (5.3 inches).
A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for northwest Florida.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency issued advice on the best and worst places to shelter from a tornado late on Saturday, advising locals in the path of a tornado to cover themselves with blankets or a mattress for protection.
It said the safest place to be is “a basement or interior room, stairwell, or hallway on a low floor”.
Windows, doors, and outside walls are to be avoided.
It also warned against underestimating flash floods, saying just six inches of fast-moving water can knock a person off his or her feet, and two feet can sweep away a full-sized car.
Courtesy : BBC
Image captionThe violent storms have also damaged property