At Least 9 Dead , After Tornadoes Tear , Through the Southeast .br On January 12, at least nine people were killed br as over a dozen tornadoes ripped through br the Southeastern United States.br NBC reports that the death toll br is expected to rise as search and rescue br operations are now under way.br According to Emergency Management Agency br Director Ernie Baggett, seven of the deaths br were reported in Autauga County, Alabama.br On January 13, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced br that two people were killed, including a five-year-old br boy, after "multiple tornadoes" ravaged the state.br On January 13, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced br that two people were killed, including a five-year-old br boy, after "multiple tornadoes" ravaged the state.br The storm moved all across br our state unfortunately, it’s been br a tragic night and morning in our state, Brian Kemp, Georgia Governor, via NBC.br It’s a very dangerous environment, br certainly last night and still is today, Brian Kemp, Georgia Governor, via NBC.br Officials fear the death toll from the storms br will rise as search and rescue efforts br continue across the Southeast.br We're starting our search back up br again this morning to make sure br that we have everyone accounted for, Ernie Baggett, Emergency Management br Agency Director, via NBC.br We have about, we're thinking right now, br about 40 homes that have either been br completely destroyed or have been br damaged to a point where no one br can stay in them anymore, Ernie Baggett, Emergency Management br Agency Director, via NBC.br NBC reports that multiple Georgia departments, br including the state's Emergency Management Agency, br are responding to and assessing the extensive damage.