State emergency management spokesman Greg Flynn told Reuters that the storms had also resulted in "massive" property damage.
A state of emergency has been issued for Marion and Jones counties — where the fatalities occurred — by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. Numerous power outages were also reported in both counties.
A total of five tornadoes were sighted in Mississippi, ABC News adds. The extent of the damage hasn’t been completely assessed yet.
Two more tornadoes – one in Georgia and another in Louisiana – were also reported, according to the Storm Prediction Center, as cited by USA Today. The news agency also adds that a tornado watch remains in effect in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
A flash flood watch was also announced in northern Florida, southern Georgia and southeastern Alabama.
