On Sunday, March 3, Alabama and Georgia were hit with a series of tornadoes that spawned massive devastation and loss, one of which has now become the deadliest tornado to hit the U.S. since 2013. One of the tornadoes that ripped through Lee County, Ala. on Sunday experienced 170 mph winds and reached an EF-4 ranking. This lone storm left at least 23 people are dead in Lee County alone as search and rescue operations here and in other areas of the state are still ongoing. The structural damage and loss reports are likely to be significant, as early images of the damage depict the complete destruction of many homes and properties. The EF-4 storm and several others destroyed mobile homes and single-family homes as it tore through the southern part of Lee County near Beauregard and Smiths Station. The storm created a path of destruction that stretched nearly a mile wide, according to the weather service. The National Weather Service says at least a dozen homes hit Alabama and Georgia on Sunday, and are still reviewing radar reports. In total, 8 tornadoes have now been confirmed statewide in Alabama as of Monday night: two EF-1s in Washington County, one EF-1 in Butler County, one EF-1 in Crenshaw County, one EF-2 in Macon County, two EF-2s in Barbour County, and one EF-4 in Lee County. President Trump announced he will visit Alabama on Friday as recovery efforts begin. Related: Tornado and severe weather insurance checklist |

Assessing the damage in Lee County and elsewhere

While 7 other tornadoes have been identified by the National Weather Service, the lone EF-4 storm in Lee County caused more deaths than double of last year's total tornadoes death toll nationwide (10 deaths), according to the Storm Prediction Center. According to Chris Darden, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service's Birmingham office, the EF-4 tornado in Lee County created a path of destruction at least 24 miles long before crossing into Georiga, where the storm continued on for an estimated .87 miles longer. Other storms recorded top wind speeds of 115-130 mph, uprooting hundreds of trees and also toppling a large wooden double power pole, the weather service said. In Barbour County, two EF-2 tornadoes caused mass destruction in the area with winds of 115 mph, traveling on a path 6.68 miles long and 700 yards wide. The second EF-2 storm reached peak winds of 130 mph, traveling on the ground for 4.2 miles and was 600 yards wide. This report is ongoing and will be updated as new information becomes available. Related: After a disaster: Falling trees, rodent infestations and more