At least 11 killed as storms, tornadoes hit southern US states

The damaged home of Randy Dykes is seen after being struck by a powerful tornado in Clarksdale, Mississippi, December 24, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON -- At least 11 people died and dozens were injured in severe storms and tornadoes that continued to hit parts of the southern US states of Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas on Thursday.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) confirmed seven of the deaths from the severe weather that began moving through the state early Wednesday morning, which led Mississippi governor Phil Bryant to declare a state of emergency for affected areas.

"The storms caused widespread damage to houses, mobile homes and public structures," the MEMA said in a statement. "More than 1,400 power outages have been reported as of Thursday morning, and weather-related debris forced numerous road closures in the affected counties."

The MEMA also confirmed at least 40 injuries in the state.

In Tennessee, the year-end storms killed at least three, including a 22-year-old man in Rhea County and a 70-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman in Perry County.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said the state will remain at a Level III-State of Emergency "due to the potential for more severe weather and heavy rain coming into the state on Dec. 25, 2015, the fact there are personnel in the field conducting damage surveys, and a forecast of more severe weather early next week."

In the neighboring state of Arkansas, an 18-year-old female died and an 18-month-old toddler was injured on Wednesday morning as a large tree that was uprooted by high winds and heavy rain fell on their house.