<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The death toll from a major storm system that has produced tornadoes and devastating winds across several southern and central US states has risen to 18, officials said Saturday.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A spokesperson for the emergency management agency in Tennessee, one of the states hardest hit by a series of storms which have struck since Friday, confirmed seven weather-related fatalities to AFP.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Officials across states including Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana and Alabama had earlier counted a total of 11 fatalities. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>