A violent tornado outbreak has swept through the South and Midwest, leaving at least 29 people dead and causing widespread damage. The storm system, which has battered states such as Mississippi, Missouri,

Over the past 24 hours, more than 40 reported tornadoes have swept across eight states in the Midwest and South -- and the dangerous severe weather threat continues. The eight states with reported tornadoes in the past day are Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee.