Tornadoes and heavy rain have destroyed large parts of central and southern United States, flattening homes and businesses. Around 15 tornadoes have been recorded across states including Arkansas, Missouri,

Severe storms are sweeping the U.S. South and Midwest, spawning damaging tornadoes and causing flooding in multiple states into Thursday morning. The big picture: The National Weather Service warned the "powerful Spring storm system will bring a barrage of life-threatening weather hazards" to parts of the Lower Ohio Valley and Mid-South overnight.