At Least 9 Dead After Tornadoes Tear Through the Southeast

At Least 9 Dead , After Tornadoes Tear , Through the Southeast .

On January 12, at least nine people were killed as over a dozen tornadoes ripped through the Southeastern United States.

NBC reports that the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations are now under way.

According to Emergency Management Agency Director Ernie Baggett, seven of the deaths were reported in Autauga County, Alabama.

On January 13, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that two people were killed, including a five-year-old boy, after "multiple tornadoes" ravaged the state.

On January 13, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that two people were killed, including a five-year-old boy, after "multiple tornadoes" ravaged the state.

The storm moved all across our state unfortunately, it’s been a tragic night and morning in our state, Brian Kemp, Georgia Governor, via NBC.

It’s a very dangerous environment, certainly last night and still is today, Brian Kemp, Georgia Governor, via NBC.

Officials fear the death toll from the storms will rise as search and rescue efforts continue across the Southeast.

We're starting our search back up again this morning to make sure that we have everyone accounted for, Ernie Baggett, Emergency Management Agency Director, via NBC.

We have about, we're thinking right now, about 40 homes that have either been completely destroyed or have been damaged to a point where no one can stay in them anymore, Ernie Baggett, Emergency Management Agency Director, via NBC.

NBC reports that multiple Georgia departments, including the state's Emergency Management Agency, are responding to and assessing the extensive damage.