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A tractor-trailer lies on its side after a tornado struck a residential area on Sunday in Albany, Georgia, Jan. 23, 2017. Reuters

Police searched Monday for a 2-year-old child in Albany, Georgia, who was reported missing as a series of deadly tornadoes tore through the southeastern part of the United States during the weekend.

At least 20 people died in the storms that began Saturday morning and lasted through Sunday afternoon, the Associated Press reported.

Dougherty County Commission Chairman Christopher Cohilas, told local reporters the mother "reported her 2-year-old child had been swept away during the tornado. ... We have a lot of people separated from their families. They have no food, no warmth and no hope."

The child's identity has not been released. Cohilas added he feared the child was "blown away."

A search-and-rescue effort for the child and other possible survivors was launched by a joint team of state and local law enforcement officers Sunday. But Cohilas said the county was seeking aid from the federal government. The tornadoes destroyed neighborhoods in Mississippi, the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, and southern Georgia.

"We've been begging for FEMA's help," Cohilas said. "To get caught up in bureaucratic red tape during this time of human suffering is disgraceful. I would ask President Trump take significant steps to remove the bureaucratic red tape and get us some people on the damn ground."

Albany is roughly 183 miles south of Atlanta.

The largest number of deaths occurred Sunday evening when seven people died after a tornado ripped through the Sunshine Acres mobile home park about 60 miles southeast of Albany. Cook County Coroner Tim Purvis told reporters roughly half of the mobile homes were “leveled.”

President Donald Trump expressed his condolences Sunday to those suffering in the aftermath of the storm.

"I want to start off by telling you I just spoke with Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia, great state, great people," Trump said Sunday from the White House. He added the tornadoes were “vicious and powerful and strong. ... So we'll be helping out the state of Georgia.”

Deal declared 16 counties in Georgia under a state of emergency Monday following the weekend of deadly storms. The announcement frees up resources in the state’s budget to assist those affected.

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