State of emergency declared in southern US states to deal with severe weather

A dwelling house damaged by tornadoes is seen in Garland, Dallas, the United States on Dec 27, 2015. Tornadoes swept through the northern part of the southern US state of Texas on Saturday night, killing eleven people and causing substantial material damage. [Photo/Xinhua]

In Oklahoma, Governor Mary Fallin also proclaimed a state of emergency as there were blizzards and an ice storm warning out west and flood warnings in the east.

Eight storm-related injuries were reported in the state where about 60,000 homes and businesses were without power.

In Arkansas, a tornado touched down in the city of Bearden, about 128 km from the state capital of Little Rock, tearing roofs off buildings and uprooting trees.

Ouachita County Sheriff David Norwood told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper that a twister appeared to have reached in a four-block area in the county. He said the storm took roofs off buildings, uprooted trees and shattered storefront windows.

In Missouri state, Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency because of widespread flooding.

Nixon's office said in a release Sunday that weekend flooding has led to eight deaths, dozens of water rescues and evacuations. More flooding is expected while river levels continue rising around the state.

Nixon says the state's emergency plan has been activated, allowing state agencies to coordinate with local authorities to provide emergency services.

Earlier, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant had declared a state of emergency for affected areas in the state after confirming seven deaths from the severe weather that began moving through the state early Wednesday morning

"The storms caused widespread damage to houses, mobile homes and public structures," the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (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."

MEMA also confirmed at least 40 injuries in the state.

In Tennessee, the year-end storms killed at least three -- 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."

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