In the United States, emergency officials say, around 80 people have lost their lives in the southeast after severe storms, hail, and tornados swept across the region. Hardest-hit was Tuscaloosa in Alabama, where a tornado has destroyed a major part of the city.Tornadoes were also reported in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama Governor Robert Brantley told reporters that the storms are a very deadly event and warned that there may be more violent weather on the way. President Obama has declared a federal state of emergency for Alabama, authorizing federal aid for all 67 of its counties. In a statement, he extended deepest condolences to the families of the victims. A number of surrounding states have declared their own states of emergency, authorizing state resources to be used in recovering from the storms. The storms, which began on Monday and also hit Texas and Missouri, are the latest to pound the southern and central United States. Earlier this month, three days of severe weather killed at least 45 people in the region.