At least 26 tornadoes were reported but not confirmed to have touched down late last night and early today as a low pressure system drove powerful thunderstorms across parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri, said David Roth, a meteorologist at the national weather service’s prediction centre.

“Today there is a high risk for more tornadoes across Alabama and Mississippi, the chance is 30%,” he said.

“That’s pretty significant.”

Two of the tornado deaths occurred in southern Missouri in the Bakersfield area of Ozark County, about four hours south of Kansas City, and a third death was reported in Butler County, the Missouri state highway patrol and other officials said.

Some people were injured, the highway patrol reported, but no numbers were immediately available.

As the storms regain strength, the highest possible risk of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms is tonight, forecasters said.