1st Ld: At least 10 killed as severe weather hits southern U.S. states

At least 10 people died and another 40 were injured in severe storms and tornadoes that continued to hit parts of the southern U.S. states of Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas on Thursday.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency on Thursday morning after more than 40 injuries and at least six deaths were reported in his state.

"The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety are continuing their disaster operations to get resources to the most heavily affected areas," Bryant said in a statement.

"Mississippians are resilient in difficult times, and we will meet this challenge head on for those that are in need."

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported on Thursday three confirmed deaths -- a 22-year-old male in Rhea County, and two in Perry County. The U.S. media reported that the number could go higher.

Meanwhile, the Pope County in the neighboring state of Arkansas said in a statement that an 18-year-old female died and an 18-month-old toddler was injured Wednesday morning as a large tree was uprooted by high winds and heavy rain before falling on their house.

The State of Emergency is an administrative tool that allows local governments to request state assistance to assist with response and recovery associated with these storm systems. Endit