Violent storms kill three across Midwest and southern US and leave thousands without water

Severe storms across the Midwest and southern US have killed three, including two children, and left thousands without drinking water.

Damaging winds, heavy rains and flash flooding on Monday have been blamed for the three deaths in Michigan and Arkansas.

In Mississippi, emergency workers were sent to deliver bottled water to residents on Tuesday after severe flooding caused the Pearl River in the capital, Jackson, to burst its banks, resulting in low or no water pressure for many residents.

The state's governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency.

Forecasters said the Pearl River had crested at about 10.8m (35.4ft) - just short of the major flood stage level of 10.97m (36ft).

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Two years ago, torrential rain caused the Pearl River to reach 11.2m (36.7ft) and homes in the hardest-hit neighbourhoods of Jackson were filled with dirty, snake-infested floodwater.

The storms on Monday also knocked out electrical service to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in Michigan and Indiana.

In the Michigan city of Monroe, police say a 14-year-old girl was electrocuted in the back garden of her home after coming into contact with a downed electrical line.

In Bentonville, Arkansas, an 11-year-old boy died after he was swept into a storm drain during heavy rainfall.

In Ohio, authorities say a woman was killed when a tree fell on her behind her home in Toledo during a strong storm.

Sky News forecasters warn more is also on the way with severe evening thunderstorms expected from central to eastern USA for the next three days, with heavy showers (up to 10cm could fall in hours), frequent hail and strong winds.