( CNN ) -- The severe storms that pummeled much of the South on Monday night left at least eight people dead in three states , officials said Tuesday . Local authorities reported one death in Mississippi , six in Georgia and one in Tennessee . Severe winds and pounding rain also toppled trees and power lines , knocking out electricity in some areas . Mississippi had one fatality when a tree falling into the road hit a 20-year-old man , said Copiah County coroner Ellis Stuart . Damage was reported in 20 counties , the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said . In Georgia , 70 counties reported damage , as did 43 in Tennessee , according to state emergency management agencies . In Georgia 's Butts County , the sheriff 's office reported two deaths -- a man and his son -- after a tree fell on their apartment building . The Georgia Emergency Management Agency said one person was killed and two others were hospitalized in the Greston community in Dodge County . In Atlanta , a tree fell on a car , killing a man in the northwest part of the city , Atlanta police said . A large tree in a private yard was uprooted and fell on a passing motorist , who was driving alone , the Atlanta Police Department said . When emergency vehicles arrived , `` it was apparent that that person was deceased , '' police spokeswoman Kim Jones said . There also was one fatality in Colquitt County and one in Irwin County , the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said . The storms knocked out power to 147,000 customers statewide , the Georgia Power Co. said early Tuesday . In Memphis , Tennessee , an 87-year-old man died when he came into contact with a downed power line in his yard , according to power provider Memphis Light , Gas and Water Division . The National Weather Service said it received nearly 600 reports of severe winds across the Southeast on Monday , 19 instances of suspected tornado-related damage and 72 reports of hail . Reports of funnel clouds poured into the weather service 's office from Sumner County , Tennessee , CNN affiliate WZTV-TV in Nashville reported . `` It got so bad , I grabbed my son ( and ) got him in the closet , '' Chuck Carter told the station . `` We always go to the closet when we think there is a tornado in the area . '' In southern Kentucky , a line of uprooted trees dotted damaged roads . No injuries were reported , however . Melvin Pendley wondered how to repair his home , which had its roof blown off . `` The ceilings are collapsed in the bedroom and half the living room , '' he told CNN affiliate WBKO-TV in Bowling Green . `` Half of the inside is still OK right now . With all this rain , we do n't know what 's going to happen now . '' CNN 's Vivian Kuo contributed to this report .
NEW : Damage reported in 70 Mississippi counties and three Tennessee counties . Uprooted tree toppled onto driver in Atlanta . 43 Atlanta counties report damage . Deaths are reported in 20 states .