Updated 2pm

THREE YOUNG CHILDREN are amongst those who have died following a vicious storm in America’s Deep South that has badly affected three states.

Arkansas, Oklahoma and Alabama have all been hit badly with the confirmed death toll from the two day severe weather now standing at 17, reports CNN, making it the deadliest storm of the season so far.

Seven alone have died in the state of Alabama where Governor Robert Bentley has declared a state of emergency for the entire state.

In Crystal Springs, Arkansas, lightning split a tree that fell into a home, killing an 18-month-old girl and her father as they slept. In Little Rock, winds knocked a tree into a home, killing a woman and her 8-year-old son in his bed.

In the town of Bald Knob, a 6-year-old boy died when the top of a tree more than 6 feet in diameter crashed through his home while he was sleeping.

The worst damage in Oklahoma was in the small town of Tushka, where residents wondered what would become of their community after a twister damaged or destroyed nearly every home along the two main streets. The only school was all but gone.

Two people were killed and at least 25 hurt as the tornado plowed through the town of 350 people before dawn. At least a dozen homes and businesses were destroyed.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency for 26 counties affected by the storm.

In Alabama, an apparent tornado damaged a motel and struck an oil change business, blowing the plastic out of large signs. Roads were crisscrossed with power poles and trees.

Heavy damage was also being reported in rural Washington County in Alabama where an estimated 40 per cent of the houses in the area are mobile homes.

The system showed no mercy on Mississippi either as it rolled eastward, damaging or destroying dozens of homes, businesses and churches. Crews worked to clear roads, find shelter for displaced families and restore power to thousands.

The storms began late Thursday in Oklahoma, where at least five tornadoes touched down and two people were killed. The system then pushed into Arkansas, killing seven more. Dozens of others were hurt.

By midday Friday, the storms had marched into Tennessee, Louisiana and later into Georgia. At least three twisters touched down in Mississippi, where a state of emergency was declared in 14 counties, causing widespread damage but only one serious injury.

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe said he had never seen the state suffer so many deaths from straight-line winds — sudden, violent downbursts that struck with hurricane force in the middle of the night. Typically, tornadoes and floods cause most of Arkansas storm-related fatalities.

“Just trees blowing on people’s residences — I don’t recall anything even approaching this,” Beebe said.

- with reporting from AP