Multiple damaging tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Saturday as the Deep South was the target of a severe weather outbreak. While the coincidence is unusual, scientist

Violent tornadoes ripped through parts of the U.S., wiping out schools and toppling semitractor-trailers in several states, part of a monster storm that killed at least 18 people as more severe weather was expected late Saturday.

At least five people have been killed in a monster storm sweeping across much of the U.S. At least two people were killed in Missouri after a tornado struck the Bakersfield area.

Numerous significant tornadoes were expected Saturday afternoon and evening, with the highest risk across several states in the Deep South, forecasters say.