NY Times (reg. req'd):

Residents in five Southern states rose Wednesday to widespread clusters of destruction caused by an unusually ferocious winter tornado system. At least 54 people were killed and scores more were injured.

Many had spent a harrowing Tuesday night punctuated by breaking glass and warning sirens as the tornadoes tossed trailer homes into the air, collapsed the roof of a Sears store in Memphis, whittled away half a Caterpillar plant near Oxford, Miss., and shredded dorms at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where crews rescued nine students trapped in the rubble.

Arkansas and Tennessee were the hardest hit, with Arkansas reporting 13 dead and Tennessee 30.

An interactive map with photos of the storm damage available here.

Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends who lost loved ones in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama in yesterday's tornado outbreak.

To help those who lost so much, you can donate to the Red Cross or The Salvation Army. If anyone has other resources, perhaps local to the affected areas, please post them in the comments.