Tornadoes Kill at Least 47 People Across US South

[Refugee 7]

Tornadoes tore across parts of the southern United States Tuesday, killing at least 47 people and causing widespread damage.

President Bush extended his condolences Wednesday to those affected by the tornadoes and said his administration will assist those areas.

At least 24 people died in the state of Tennessee, including five outside the city of Nashville. A shopping mall in Memphis sustained major damage, while several students at a college in the nearby city of Jackson were trapped for several hours after a storm destroyed their dormitory.

The twisters killed at least 13 people in Arkansas, including at least nine in the small town of Atkins. At least seven are dead in Kentucky and three in Alabama from the storms.

The tornadoes injured hundreds of other people, and destroyed or damaged many homes and businesses.

Tornadoes, wind damage and hail also were reported in the states of Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri.

[Nylle 0]

I heard about this tragedy this morning - the numbers have gone up since then. Poor people.

[Starfish 0]

That is so horrible. Tornadoes scare the heck out of me.

[WildflowerNJ 136]

This is so horrible!! Prayers to the people in these areas.....

[Mary Jane 49 0]

Those poor people , I`m really sorry

[Echosoftom 3]

Tornadoes terrify me. I left Otto a message at work. His Mom is in Arkansas. I hope she's okay. His parents lost everything once before in a tornado back in the 80's.

[KansasPettyFan 1]

What a tragedy! So many lives lost.

[surfnburn 5]

How tragic...

[agirl 0]

Tornados scare the hell out of me. I feel so sorry for those people.

[Ladywiz 4]

I get "meteorologists' remorse!" I love weather phenomena so much I get all excited about the storms' development and movement. Later when I hear of the death and destruction I feel guilty for enjoying the storm process.

I hope those poor folks get more help from FEMA than New Orleans did! God bless them all.

[Marion 1,411]

That's just terrible. So many people killed.

[Pettyjunkie 0]

How horrifying and terrible. I hope they get the help they need, and that no Farmers are in need. I wonder how my family down there is.

[MaryJane 0]

I live in Jackson, TN...where Union University is. If you havent already heard a dormitory collapsed. I play (sometimes) at piano concerts there... Thankfully I was south of most of the damage done...I feel so bad for all of those poor people...

[AmyLou 5]

wow MJ - I'm glad you're safe, was just watching Jackson, Tn. on the Weather Channel - said it was also hit by a tornado in 2002?! Those poor students.

[PumpkinBumpkin 1]

How horrifying and terrible. I hope they get the help they need, and that no Farmers are in need. I wonder how my family down there is.

Me too.:085: I hope that this doesn't claim more lives.

[Refugee 7]

MaryJane, I'm very glad you weren't hurt. Tornadoes are SO scary.

[WildflowerNJ 136]

MaryJane, I am so happy you are okay...what a scary thing to go through...

[agirl 0]

MaryJane, glad to hear you are okay. I saw the dorm on the news. Tornados are so scary!!

[The Wild One, Forever 2]

I was scared about my family down there, but they called saying theyre okay...but I havent heard from my great uncle...I hope hes alright. I can only imagine how scary tornadoes are.