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.

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.

Parts of the Midwest and South are facing the possibility torrential rains and life-threatening flash floods on Friday The fresh storms come as many communities are still reeling from severe tornadoes that destroyed whole neighborhoods and killed at least seven people.