A series of horrific tornadoes and twisters touched down in the South and Midwest late Sunday night and early Monday morning, claiming the lives of at least two people in Birmingham, Ala.

Jefferson County sheriff's spokesman Randy Christian said a 16-year-old boy was killed in the city of Clay. An 82-year-old man was also killed as in the community of Oak Grove, reported CBS. Jefferson County reportedly experienced severe damage.

The twisters downed trees, power lines and leveled homes as it made its way across counties in the Midwest. Firefighters and rescue officials have also begun methodically searching residences house-by-house in search of injured survivors. Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency Duty Manager Bob Ammons said his office will do whatever it takes in order to preserve life and bring people to safety, reported The Associated Press.

Some roads are impassable, there are a number of county roads where you have either debris down, trees down, damage from homes, said Yasamie Richardson, a spokeswoman for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, according to the Associated Press.

In the city of Clanton, Ala., 50 miles south of Birmingham, emergency workers reportedly responded to calls of an overturned trailer with people trapped inside. There are no known updates about any survivors.

Arkansas was also hit with twisters. At least five twisters touched down inside the state. There were no injuries reported at this time. However, roughly 13,400 homes were without power as of 5 a.m. this morning, according to Entergy Arkansas, Inc, a local power supply company.

This rare January weather event is caused by a cold front moving its way to the edge of colder air that cuts into unusually warm and moist air. Twisters begin forming as the powerful winds gusts begin rotating do to the mixed climate.

Widespread tornado outbreaks are not expected in the area, but experts are advising residents that to be careful of the destructive force, reported the Daily Mail.

Tornado warnings were also issued in parts of Tennessee and Mississippi.

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