Tornado ravages historic Selma, Alabama

Rescuers are racing to find survivors in the aftermath of a deadly storm system that barreled across parts of Georgia and Alabama. The system killed at least nine people and inflicted heavy damage on Selma, a flashpoint of the civil rights movement.

The tornado that hit Selma cut a wide path through the downtown area, where brick buildings collapsed, oak trees were uprooted, cars were tossed onto their sides and power lines were left dangling. Selma Mayor James Perkins said no fatalities were reported, but several people were seriously injured.

At least 35 possible tornado touchdowns were reported across several states. The National Weather Service was working to confirm the twisters. It said suspected tornado damage was reported in at least 14 counties in Alabama and five in Georgia.