Ferocious storms that spawned tornadoes have left a trail of destruction across the southern united states.

At least one person was killed when this twister touched down near Tupelo, Mississippi on Monday, and at least two others were killed when the same storm system pushed into Alabama.

All told at least 21 people have been killed since Sunday when storms roared through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and other states.

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe says the damage was the worst he can remember

(SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) ARKANSAS GOVERNOR MIKE BEEBE SAYING:

"The devastation in terms of the power of it may be as big as I've seen. We've seen steel girders, huge steel i-beam type girders twisted and torn completely out of the cement".

One 12-year old survivor says she and her friend took shelter in a closet.

(SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) JENNIFER, 12-YEAR-OLD TORNADO SURVIVOR, SAYING:

"And next thing i know here comes the tornado and a wall falls on top of