A deadly tornado outbreak ripped through the South and Midwest Wednesday and Thursday, destroying homes and neighborhoods, damaging vehicles, bringing down trees and utility lines and knocking out power.

A dangerous tornado outbreak is ripping through the South and Midwest, destroying homes, streets and power lines. We're tracking the latest reports of possible EF3+ tornadoes, massive hail and life-threatening flash flooding.

The National Weather Service described the disaster as "a once-in-a-generation to once-in-a-lifetime" event, warning that the worst may still be ahead.

Several states in the central U.S. were hit hard overnight by a deadly storm that reportedly caused flash flooding and even destructive tornadoes.

Tornadoes ripped across a wide swath of central and southern United States on Wednesday, destroying homes and businesses and bringing down power lines and trees. The National Weather Service said there had been at least 15 reports of tornadoes in at least four states by late Wednesday.