At least 23 dead, including numerous children, in Alabama tornado; rescue teams searching for more victims

March 04-- Mar. 4--Search and rescue crews continued digging through extensive debris Monday in search of victims and survivors of the southeast Alabama tornado -- a disaster that officials called the worst they'd seen in at least 50 years.

At least 23 people, including numerous children, were killed in the powerful tornado that ripped through rural Lee County the day before.

"I have not seen this type of level of destruction ever in my experience here in Lee County," Sheriff Jay Jones, who has held his position since 1998, said at a press conference. "I know for at least 50 years we have not had anything of this nature before.

"It looks almost as if someone took a giant knife and just scraped the ground. There are slabs where homes formerly stood, debris everywhere, trees are snapped," he added.

Lee County Coroner Bill Harris announced Monday afternoon that at least three children, ages 6, 9 and 10, were killed.

Among them was fourth-grade student Taylor Thornton, her school, Lee-Scott Academy, announced on Facebook.

"Words don't even come close to imagining the pain (parents Ashley and David Thornton) are enduring," a family friend wrote on GoFundMe that has already raised more than $22,000.

"Taylor was an amazing example of a child of God. She brought so much joy to all that knew her. She was loved dearly and will forever be missed."

The death toll is expected to rise, officials have said.

Officials said the main focus now is to search for those who have been reported missing. Drones with infrared features were being utilized to help look for more victims.

The tornado ravaged the community of around 10,000, with winds that appeared to be around 160 mph or greater. It was part of a storm system that made its way across parts of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.

Levi Baker, who lives near the damaged Alabama county, told the Associated Press he saw bodies of dead people and dead animals.

Sheriff Jones said a medical examiner is identifying the victims and determining the exact cause of death.

"Trauma obviously was involved," he said. "This was an extremely powerful storm."

David McBride, owner of the Wild Buck Saloon, posted a photo of his business -- with the roof ripped off and exterior knocked down -- to Facebook.

"All shows at The Buck Wild Saloon have been cancled (sic)," he wrote.

The National Weather Service determined that the storm had at least an F3 rating, which means wind speeds were between 158 to 206 mph.

The White House has offered federal assistance, Jones said. President Trump tweeted that FEMA was told "directly by [him] to give the A plus treatment to the Great State of Alabama and the wonderful people who have been so devastated by the Tornadoes."

He said he has been working with Gov. Kay Ivey and expressed condolences to the family of those killed.

"Towns, schools, churches and homes were devastated by tornadoes of a force like we haven't seen in a long time, historic. Our whole nation mourns for the more than 20 lives lost and for the heartbroken families they leave behind," Trump said Monday.

"You look at the areas affected and probably nobody made it out of that path, that path was brutal. To the community of Lee County, we grieve by your side and we pledge our unwavering support to help you rebuild from the very depths of this horrible tragedy."

Jones called the community affected by the storms "wonderful" and "tight-knit."

"This hurts my heart. I love this county," he said as he appeared to hold back tears. "And it's extremely upsetting to me to see these people hurting like this...These people are tough. They're resilient people and it knocked them down, but they'll be back."

Across the border in Georgia, 16 tornadoes were reported, according to the National Weather Service, as homes and cars were destroyed and left as rubble.

"Everything that's been built for 19 years, gone in the blink of an eye," Brittny Gordy, of Ellerslie, told WRBL.

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