Death toll from tornado outbreak hits 55

Associated Press

At least 55 people have been killed and hundreds injured by dozens of tornadoes that tore their way across Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. It's being called the deadliest assault by tornadoes in more than two decades.

Officials said the death toll could have been even higher had it not been for tornado warnings that were broadcasted for hours. Many people took shelter and saved their lives, but others had nowhere to go to duck twisters that were too powerful, too numerous and too unpredictable. T

he National Weather Service said it issued more than 1,000 tornado warnings in an 11-state area between 3 p.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Entire streets were flattened. Hundreds of homes were destroyed.

Federal help is already rolling out. FEMA teams have been dispatched and an emergency center has been opened in Georgia.