Tornadoes and storms claim the lives of 23 people in the US state of Mississippi

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said that at least 23 people were killed and dozens were injured as a result of a tornado and severe thunderstorms that swept through the state late Friday evening and damaged several cities in the state.

At least 23 people were killed when tornadoes and powerful storms hit the US state of Mississippi, local authorities said Saturday.

"At least 23 Mississippians were killed in violent tornadoes last night. We know many more people were injured. Search and rescue teams are still active," Governor Tate Reeves said on Twitter.

"The loss will be felt in these cities forever. Please pray for all those who have lost relatives and friends."

The state's Emergency Management Authority confirmed the toll, tweeting, "Unfortunately, these numbers are expected to rise."

She added that at least four people are missing, in addition to dozens of injured, while tens of thousands of people in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee are deprived of electricity.

"The state is conducting relief efforts in Sharkey and Humphreys counties," 110 kilometers north of the capital, Jackson, Malari White of the Emergency Services told ABC.

"We have activated medical support - increasing the number of ambulances and other emergency means for those affected. Search and rescue is active," Reeves added, calling on residents to "follow meteorological reports and exercise caution."

Television footage showed flattened homes and debris strewn across the road as emergency services tried to reach those in need.

"My town no longer exists," the mayor of Rolling Fork, which is home to about 2,000 people in west-central Mississippi, told CNN.

He added that when he was able to leave his house, "we found destruction all around us."

Shanta Howard of the town told ABC that residents were helping to pull bodies from the wreckage of homes.

"very scary"

In turn, the local official in Humphreys County, Woodrow Johnson, told CNN that his wife woke him up and they heard what sounded like a train.

"It was very scary," Johnson added, explaining that his neighbour's house, a trailer, was "totally destroyed."

The National Weather Service warned residents that as debris removal continues, "risks remain even after storms continue".

At least 13 people died in Sharkey County, three in nearby Carroll County and two more in Monroe County, ABC reported.

The network quoted a member of the Highway Patrol Police in Silver City, Humphreys County, that one person was killed in the area.

"Our main priority right now, especially for local first responders, is the safety of people and locating them to make sure they are safe," Mallari White said.

Hurricane warnings were issued Friday for several counties in the state, but as of 2:48 am (07:48 GMT) Saturday, the Jackson branch of the National Weather Service said: "The hurricane watch has been lifted throughout the relevant area."

The branch added on Twitter: "New rains and other thunderstorms are expected in our region," stressing that "it should not be strong according to expectations."