Deaths from US tornadoes rise to nine as crews search for trapped survivors

Georgia and Alabama ravaged by tornadoes that ripped up trees, destroyed houses and caused injury and death

The death toll from tornadoes that tore through parts of Georgia and Alabama rose to at least nine on Friday afternoon as rescue crews continued to search for trapped survivors and additional victims.

Authorities were beginning to get a better picture of the damage caused by a twister that wrecked buildings and tossed cars in the streets of historic downtown Selma, Alabama, late on Thursday. Houses were torn off their foundations and property was smashed up and flattened by flying debris and ripped up trees.