Southeast storm death toll rises to 18

Meanwhile, two more deaths linked to weather were reported Saturday in MS, bringing that state’s death toll from severe weather over Christmas to 10. Late Sat., one death was reported in Alabama. The storms that accompanied the tornadoes dropped enough rain to raise water levels in rivers and lakes by dozen feet or more, which washed out streets and stranded residents overnight in what Birmingham declared was a “civil emergency” where motorists were asked to stay off the roads.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Greg Flynn said 56 injuries were reported.

Ellis County Emergency Management Coordinator Stephanie Parker said homes had been destroyed in the storms and warned people to stay off the roads.

One woman whose home was damaged told NBC affiliate WVTM that she grabbed her son and said “let’s go” as the storm hit.

This comes after two possible tornados on Christmas Day outside Birmingham, Alabama.

The flooding is the result of heavy downpours that have been thrashing the southeastern US since Wednesday…

At least three people who died were found in vehicles, said Barineau, who also noted that some cars appeared to be thrown from the interstate, though it wasn’t known whether that was the case for the people found in the vehicles. She posted on twitter: “We have destroyed and damaged homes”.

Sunday Governor Robert Bentley will tour tornado damaged areas in Jefferson County, and discuss the state’s response to the tornadoes and flooding experienced statewide. His office said about 190 roads across Alabama were closed due to flooding.

State authorities on Saturday told local broadcaster WTVY that they had recovered the body of a 5-year-old boy who drowned when the vehicle he was in was swept into floodwaters on Friday. The search is ongoing for a 22-year-old man who was also in the auto.

The National Weather Service on Monday issued a flood watch for multiple counties as additional rainfall on saturated soil increased the potential for flash flooding.

Peak tornado season in the South is in the spring, but storms can happen any time.

Residents of the hardest-hit communities were forced to take stock of their losses Thursday after unseasonably severe weather spawned tornadoes and killed at least 14 people in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Damage caused by a tornado is seen in a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, December 26, 2015. The hardest hit area was by I-30 and police said that it appeared that victims were in cars that were blown off of the highway onto the service road below. You can find our latest extended forecast on the First Alert Weather app. I will also have some updated forecast information regarding tomorrow’s storm threat to pass along tonight beginning at 9 p.m.

WHAT TO EXPECT TOMORROW: A line of heavy rain and thunderstorms will enter West Alabama (Hamilton, Aliceville, Eutaw, Fayette, &Tuscaloosa) tomorrow morning between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. There is a chance this line may contain some bowing segments or severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts. But many they said they were thankful to be alive.

Other parts of the country face possible storms and blizzards Saturday. The previous record for December 27 was 75 degrees set in 1982.

Information for this article was contributed by Nomaan Merchant Chevel Johnson, Jonathan Landrum, Dylan Lovan and staff members of The Associated Press, staff members of Arkansas Online and by The Dallas Morning News.