Three people are confirmed dead and a dozen more injured as a powerful stormfront packing suspected tornadoes smashed into buildings, downed trees and left a trail of destruction around the Deep South.

A dangerous mix of thunderstorms and suspected tornadoes raked the region Monday as a cold front collided with warmer air.

The severe weather threat was continuing past nightfall.

The sheriff's office in Vernon Parish, Louisiana says the death there came from an apparent tornado strike on a home. An official in north Alabama reported two deaths there after storms passed through that region.