Alabama, Southern states pounded by ’catastrophic’ storms; at least 215 dead

A deadly storm front pummeled Alabama and at least five other Southern states, spawning tornadoes and leaving officials on Thursday facing a climbing death toll, major property damage and an intense search-and-rescue effort after one of the worst such disasters in decades. The number of deaths hit 131 in Alabama alone, with loss of life in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky bringing the preliminary total to about 215. That number is expected to rise, officials said. The White House announced that President Obama will visit Alabama on Friday.