2 dead, thousands without power as storms hit Deep South

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Storms moving across the Gulf Coast region with howling wind and pounding rain were blamed for at least two deaths and left nearly 110,000 homes and businesses without electricity early Thursday.

A Texas sheriff's deputy answering a call about a water rescue died after her patrol car ran into floodwaters covering a road and landed upside down, authorities said, and a Mississippi college student died in another weather-related wreck.

At least two other people were sent to a hospital because of a possible tornado touchdown in Louisiana, and forecasters said the weather threat would last hours more.