A wave of thunderstorms with high-speed winds wreaked havoc on the South on Wednesday, and killed at least 15 people from Arkansas to Alabama.

Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency, and a massive tornado, which was estimated to about a mile-wide struck Tuscaloosa around 5:15 p.m., causing “major damage,” officials said.

When The Star-News went to press, no local damage had been reported.