The death toll in the South has risen to at least fifty-five following the devastating tornadoes that hit Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and Alabama on Tuesday.
It was the deadliest barrage of tornadoes in the country since 1985. The White House has announced President Bush will tour damaged areas on Friday.

President Bush: “This was a bad storm that affected a lot of people in a variety of states. The administration is reaching out to state officials. I just called the governors of the affected states. I wanted them to know that this government will help them. But more importantly I wanted them to be able to tell the people in their states that the American people hold them up and hold those who suffer up in prayer. Loss of life, a lot of loss of property, prayers can help, and so can the government. So today, before we begin this important ceremony, I do want the people in those states to know the American people are standing with them.”