BIRMINGHAM - Powerful storms cutpower and knocked out nuclear units as they tore across the
southern United States this week, killing at least 25 people,emergency officials said on Wednesday.Governors in Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee each declareda state of emergency as a result of the heavy winds, rains andtornadoes whose damage could strain state budgets.
Floods were a big concern throughout the storm-hit area,where rain compounded with melted snow to cause rising riversand saturated soils.
Several states suffered power outages as well as propertyand infrastructure damage that could prove costly to repair.
The storms caused three nuclear reactors in Alabama to shutand knocked out 11 high-voltage power lines, the TennesseeValley Authority and regulators said.