At least 290 people were killed across six states - more than two-thirds of them in Alabama - as America's deadliest tornado outbreak in almost four decades pulverised entire neighbourhoods. Two of Alabama's major cities were among the places devastated by the deadliest twister outbreak in nearly 40 years. As day broke on Thursday, people in hard-hit areas surveyed obliterated homes and debris-strewn streets. Some told of deadly winds whipping through within seconds of weather alerts broadcast during the storms on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Residents were told the tornadoes were coming up to 24 minutes ahead of time, but they were just too wide, too powerful and too locked onto populated areas to avoid a horrifying body count.

At least 290 people were killed across six states - more than two-thirds of them in Alabama - as America's deadliest tornado outbreak in almost four decades pulverised entire neighbourhoods. Two of Alabama's major cities were among the places devastated by the deadliest twister outbreak in nearly 40 years. As day broke on Thursday, people in hard-hit areas surveyed obliterated homes and debris-strewn streets. Some told of deadly winds whipping through within seconds of weather alerts broadcast during the storms on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Residents were told the tornadoes were coming up to 24 minutes ahead of time, but they were just too wide, too powerful and too locked onto populated areas to avoid a horrifying body count.

At least 290 people were killed across six states - more than two-thirds of them in Alabama - as America's deadliest tornado outbreak in almost four decades pulverised entire neighbourhoods. Two of Alabama's major cities were among the places devastated by the deadliest twister outbreak in nearly 40 years. As day broke on Thursday, people in hard-hit areas surveyed obliterated homes and debris-strewn streets. Some told of deadly winds whipping through within seconds of weather alerts broadcast during the storms on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Residents were told the tornadoes were coming up to 24 minutes ahead of time, but they were just too wide, too powerful and too locked onto populated areas to avoid a horrifying body count.