WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed as "large and destructive" tornadoes hit U.S. southern states of Alabama and Georgia on Sunday, according to a report from NBC affiliate WSFA, citing authorities.

The 14 deaths were in Lee County, Alabama, the county sheriff's office told WSFA-TV.

The Lee County Emergency Management Agency, or EMA, said the worst of the damage was near the town of Beauregard, where it said earlier Sunday it had confirmed two deaths.