U.S. tornado, flood deaths reach 18, more storms ahead

The death toll from tornadoes and flooding this week in the southern United States climbed to 18 on Saturday, according to officials and local media, as the nation braced for more stormy weather over the busy post-holiday travel weekend. The tornado damaged 403 homes over a seven-county area in the state, Flynn said. In addition, flooding left 50 homes uninhabitable and closed 40 roads in Monroe County, which got 10 to 12 inches (about 25 to 30 cm) of rain, he said. The tornadoes also killed six people in Tennessee and one each in Arkansas and Alabama, bringing the three-state total to 18. Weather officials also warned of likely tornados hitting near the Texas towns of Rowlett, Wylie and Lavon. Flash flood and tornado warnings extended into Saturday night for the region, according to the weather service.