More than 55 million people remain under severe storm threat from Pennsylvania to the Gulf Coast
James Holden updates
Crews are assessing damage in Pelham, Alabama, after a tornado tore through the town Thursday afternoon damaging numerous houses and the city's civic complex, a tweet from the Pelham Police Department said.
Police said there is "extensive damage" in the Crosscreek community.
The department said on Twitter that utility lines are down in the northern part of the city along Highways 21 and 119.
Police are asking people to stay off the road as they continue to assess the damage.
"WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH: PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROAD AND DO NOT GO INTO TORNADO DAMAGE AREAS," the police department said in a tweet.
Pelham is about 20 miles south of Birmingham. Strong storm lines and tornadoes have been reported in the area.
