Severe Storms Blamed for 18 Deaths in the South

ATLANTA (AP) — A severe storm system that spun off apparent tornadoes and left scattered destruction around the Southeast is blamed for at least 18 deaths on a two-day sweep across the region.

The enormous system put millions of people in the South on edge during a weekend of violent weather that left crumpled trailer homes, downed trees and other damage in the hardest-hit communities from Mississippi to Georgia. The severe weather threat was still continuing Sunday night in some parts, extending into the Carolinas and north Florida.

At least 14 people were killed Sunday in Georgia as the fast-moving storms tore across the state throughout the day, with at least one deadly tornado reported before dawn and violent storms still rumbling after nightfall. Four people were killed Saturday in Mississippi when the system began its deadly assault.

Georgia's latest three deaths were confirmed Sunday evening in Dougherty County where the city of Albany is located.