At least 23 people died after strong storms and at least one tornado ravaged the US state of Mississippi Friday night into Saturday, local authorities said, cited by CNN.

The tornado tore off roofs, sent cars off the road and caused power outages that affected thousands of people.

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The towns of Silver City and Rolling Fork were hit directly by the tornado, according to the US National Weather Service.

"I've never seen anything like it," Rolling Fork resident Brandy Showah told CNN. "It was a very beautiful stallion, now it's gone," she added.

In Rolling Fork, the tornado, which moved at 50 miles per hour, destroyed homes, uprooted trees and snapped power poles.

Brandy Showah says she has pulled several neighbors out from under the rubble, but others are still trapped.

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Authorities say they have several search and rescue missions underway.

All emergency services have been alerted, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said.

"Missions are ongoing. Many people in the Mississippi Delta need your prayers and God's protection tonight," the governor tweeted overnight.

Severe storms also affected the states of Alabama and Tennessee, which are under tornado warnings Saturday.

The storm knocked out power for 100,000 customers in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, according to PowerOutage.us.

Editor: D.R.