Communities were left devastated - leaving at least seven dead amid widespread damage - after violent thunderstorms and a large tornado swept through Alabama, USA.

A video shared by Deborah A. Brown shows the destruction after a tornado tore through Selma Thursday afternoon. 

"It happened so fast," a voice can be heard saying. "Thank God for this structure," she says of the tax office building people took shelter in."

The National Weather Service has said: "If you need to seek shelter, get helmets, something to protect your head, get to the center most room, lowest level."

"Smaller rooms (bathrooms, closets) are better than large rooms."

"Get your pets. Get your safety kit. Mobile homes are not safe, get to a sturdy building."

The National Weather Service also said "winds of at least 60 mph, large, quarter sized hail, and tornadoes remain possible" after the tornado warning remained in effect until 5 pm."

The footage was filmed in January 12.