At least 12 people have been killed in the United States after a powerful storm system saw tornadoes rip through Arkansas and Oklahoma.
A dozen or more twisters tore through central and southern parts of the country, decimating buildings, overturning trucks, and bringing down trees and power lines.
National Guard troops have been mobilised in the worst-hit areas, and rescue workers have been moving door-to-door to search for victims.
Tornadoes were also reported in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, causing damage but no known injuries.
Arkansas Emergency Management official Brandon Morris told Sky News 11 people were killed by the large tornado which struck through the state.
The deadly twisters have had a devastating impact on communities The tornado formed outside Little Rock and travelled northeast for 30 miles, carving a destructive path.
Television footage from the scene showed badly-damaged buildings and cars.
An earlier tornado in the town of Quapaw, in Oklahoma, also left one person dead and at least six people injured.
Joe Dan Morgan, of Ottawa County Emergency Management, said there was heavy damage in the town.
"It looks like about half of (the) town got extensive damage as well as the fire department," he said.
Six people were treated for injuries at the Baptist Regional Health Centre, according to hospital spokeswoman Kristie Wallace.
Earlier, authorities said two people were killed in Quapaw.
Emergency crews were combing through debris in those towns hit hardest by the tornadoes, as forecasters warned more twisters were on their way.
James Firestone, mayor of the Arkansas town of Velonia said: "It's chaos right now."
He said the downtown area "seems like it's completely levelled."
He added: "There's a few buildings partially standing, gas lines spewing. Fire lines down. We've had some casualties."
Firefighters from nearby cities as well as National Guard troops were heading to the town to help, and the county sheriff's office said a "mass casualty situation" had been reported.
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe wrote on Twitter: "It's been a truly awful night for many families, neighbourhoods and communities, but Arkansas always step up to help each other recover."
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