At least 7 dead as storms hit Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana

Trees fallen in an aftermath of severe storms and a tornado are seen in Texas, U.S., April 22, 2020. /Reuters

Severe storms and a tornado swept through the southern U.S. states of Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana killing at least seven people, officials said on Thursday.

More than 150,000 businesses and homes from Texas to Georgia were without power as the severe weather blew eastward, snapping utility lines as trees fell, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports.

In Georgia, a tornado swept through the city of Adel in Cook County, tearing off roofs, and flipping at least one car and a small plane.

Johnny West, Cook County's emergency management director, was reported to say that there was damage throughout the county and "heavy damage" in the city.

Damage was caused by a combination of straight-line winds and the tornado, said Wright Dobbs, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Tallahassee, Florida office.

Forecasters said additional damage was possible from another wave of storms.

The development comes as most Americans are under "stay-at-home" orders due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this month, at least six people were killed as a strong storm system swept across the southern states of Mississippi and Louisiana, spinning off more than a dozen tornadoes and leaving behind a path of destruction.

(With input from agencies)