A massive storm system, spanning from Maine to the Dakotas and from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, bore down on half the continental U.S. yesterday and today, unleashing tornadoes, snow and ice and killing three people on Thursday. One was killed in far eastern Mississippi, where a tornado touched down yesterday…

A monstrous tornado nearly a mile wide killed fifteen people in Tuscaloosa, Ala. and "obliterated" parts of the city when it touched down on Wednesday afternoon. These videos should give you some sense of how terrifying a tornado can be.