A deadly tornado outbreak ripped through Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Mississippi overnight Friday, leaving destruction, power outages and tragic loss in its wake.

At least 19 people have died as an outbreak of tornadoes ravished through the South and Midwest early Saturday morning, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.

The meteorological agency said: "If you live in these areas, get to the sturdiest structure you have access to and remain in place until the storms pass." Mike Kehoe, governor of Missouri - where the 11 deaths were reported across four south-easterly counties - said the state had been "devastated by severe storms and tornadoes,

The most fatalities were in Missouri. Forecasters warned that tornadoes, hail and violent winds continue to threaten states in the Deep South, from Louisiana to Georgia.

An "outbreak" of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms is expected through Saturday night in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other southern states.