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A wave of deadly storms swept through Alabama Sunday afternoon, killing at least 23 people and causing widespread damage in the southeast part of the state.

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The victims range from a child as young as 6 to older adults, according to Lee County Coroner Bill Harris. Drones equipped with heat-seeking equipment is being used to assist in the search for survivors.

At least 12 of those deaths occurred in an area about 6 miles south of the city of Opelika, Sheriff Jay Jones said. The number of people who remain unaccounted for is in the double digits, according to Jones. Identification of the victims has not been released. . . .

“At this time, we can confirm that there is at least EF-3 damage in extreme southern Lee County off County Road 36 just north/northwest of Dupree,” the NWS said. “The tornado track is at least one-half mile wide.” . . .

A tornado watch was first issued for Lee County around 11 a.m. Sunday. The first tornado warning was issued at 1:58 p.m. with initial damage reports at 2:02 p.m. The second tornado warning came in at 2:28 p.m. with damage reports from that storm coming in at 2:51 p.m. More damage reports started at 3 p.m.

EF-3 storms pack wind speeds of between 158-206 mph. . . .

The Sunday storms are among the deadliest in Alabama history, according to the National Weather Service. The storms are also the deadliest day for tornadoes in the state since the Super Outbreak that killed hundreds in April 2011. (Excerpted from AL.com.)