Southern states ravaged by storms as tornado warning issued

HIGH winds, hail and heavy rain have pounded parts of Alabama as forecasters warn residents to brace for possible tornadoes and flooding later in the day.

Yesterday was the second Sunday in a row that the southern US state has been hit with severe weather. The National Weather Service said six Alabama counties are under a flash flood warning because of heavy rain – Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Jefferson, Shelby and Tuscaloosa.

Local media reported high winds had uprooted trees and left blankets of hail on the ground in some areas.

The agency said strong tornadoes are a possibility for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama yesterday.

A swathe of damaging winds and a continued tornado threat was also due extend across Georgia and parts of South Carolina last night. The storm threat comes a week after Easter storms pounded the Deep South.

The National Weather Service said more than 100 tornadoes struck the area last weekend.