By Steve Barnes
The storms tore across Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama, overturning trucks, trapping people, ripping up houses, smashing cars, and uprooting trees.
Tennessee was the hardest-hit state with 24 deaths, according to state emergency officials. Nearly 150 people were injured in that state.
The twister flattened the nearby home of one resident.
Two of the states hit by the tornadoes -- Arkansas and Tennessee -- were among the 24 "Super Tuesday" states that held nominating contests before November's presidential election.
Extensive damage included a dormitory at Union University in Jackson, where some students were trapped for a time, school officials said. Classes have been cancelled for two weeks.
The roof of a warehouse collapsed in Memphis, killing at least three.
"It's a pretty rough night in the scope of it. I don't know if I can remember when we've had as many (tornado) warnings and touchdowns," Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said by telephone.
In Kentucky, at least seven people were killed, state emergency spokesman Buddy Rogers told Fox News on Wednesday.
A tornado early Wednesday in northern Alabama killed at least one person and destroyed houses on a 10-mile (16-km) stretch in Lawrence County , emergency officials told CNN.
The Jackson Sun reported a nursing home was seriously damaged, but the 114 residents were evacuated safely.
