Death toll rises to 26 after tornadoes sweep across the South and the Midwest

Damage from a late-night tornado is seen in Sullivan, Ind., Saturday. Multiple deaths were reported in the area following the storm. (Doug McSchooler/AP)

At least 26 people were killed after a powerful storm system barreled through large swaths of the South and Midwest on Friday.

The series of grueling tornadoes come just a week after a rare, long-lasting twister left 25 people dead in western Mississippi and one person in Alabama.