Massive storm system batters southern United States

A powerful storm system swept across the southern United States overnight, producing damaging winds, large hail and at least six confirmed tornadoes. More than 400,000 customers lost power at the event's peak.

Emergency services conducted dozens of water rescues as training thunderstorms dropped over 250 millimetres of rain on already-saturated ground. Two fatalities have been confirmed, with damage assessments ongoing across four states.

Forecasters warn the same frontal boundary will re-energise this weekend as it interacts with record Gulf moisture, keeping a broad corridor under flood watches through Monday.