<p>Heavy thunderstorms lashed the southern region of the United States on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said, warning of dangerous tornados in their wake.</p>.<p>"Severe thunderstorms are bringing strong tornadoes, very large hail, and severe wind gusts across parts of the lower to mid Mississippi Valley, Mid-South and parts of the Southeast," it said in a statement.</p>.<p>"Tornado Watches and Warnings are in effect. A few long-track strong tornadoes are possible," it added, citing storms that hit in waves and can last an unusually long time.</p>.<p>Central Mississippi, northeast Louisiana and southwest Arkansas were under a "particularly dangerous tornado" watch, a rare and very serious warning.</p>.<p>The watch was expected to last until 2:00 am Central Times (0800 GMT) Wednesday.</p>.<p>Strong and severe thunderstorms also broke out between eastern Texas and Tennessee, US media reported.</p>.<p>But central Mississippi was expected to bear the brunt of the storms, set to hit in a series of waves.</p>.<p>The Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center declared a rare level four out of five risk for severe storms in the area, media said.</p>
<p>Heavy thunderstorms lashed the southern region of the United States on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said, warning of dangerous tornados in their wake.</p>.<p>"Severe thunderstorms are bringing strong tornadoes, very large hail, and severe wind gusts across parts of the lower to mid Mississippi Valley, Mid-South and parts of the Southeast," it said in a statement.</p>.<p>"Tornado Watches and Warnings are in effect. A few long-track strong tornadoes are possible," it added, citing storms that hit in waves and can last an unusually long time.</p>.<p>Central Mississippi, northeast Louisiana and southwest Arkansas were under a "particularly dangerous tornado" watch, a rare and very serious warning.</p>.<p>The watch was expected to last until 2:00 am Central Times (0800 GMT) Wednesday.</p>.<p>Strong and severe thunderstorms also broke out between eastern Texas and Tennessee, US media reported.</p>.<p>But central Mississippi was expected to bear the brunt of the storms, set to hit in a series of waves.</p>.<p>The Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center declared a rare level four out of five risk for severe storms in the area, media said.</p>