A series of tornadoes ripped through Alabama and Georgia late Sunday, with at least 23 reported deaths, according to CNN.

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Lee County Sheriff, Jay Jones told CNN the numbers [of deaths] are expected to rise, and    described the damage done, "as if someone had taken a blade and just scraped the ground."

At least a dozen tornadoes have said to have touched down in Alabama and Georgia, according to the National Weather Service, while the  destruction caused is said to be the deadliest since 200 people were killed in the Tuscaloosa-Birmingham tornado in 2011. 

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey extended the state of emergency that had been issued last month statewide due to tornadoes and severe weather.

"Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives in the storms that hit Lee County today," she tweeted. "Praying for their families & everyone whose homes or businesses were affected. Officials from @AlabamaEma & other agencies are quickly working to provide assistance.

The tornadoes are part of the same system that is expected to bring winter weather to much of the eastern United States this week, reported CNN.