Many people all over America are on high alert across the nation. a severe weather outbreak Violent, lengthy-tornadoes accompanied by destructive winds reaching speeds of 80mph and sizable hailstones are anticipated throughout the Midwest and Southern regions as the transcontinental storm system progresses eastward.
The identical storm system previously brought fierce winds to the Plains states, resulting in wildfires. severe dust storms that resulted in over a dozen fatalities across Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
In total, the nationwide storm system has resulted in at least 40 fatalities.
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The death toll rises to 40.
As of Sunday, at least 40 individuals across seven states have succumbed to the harsh conditions brought about by the intense storm system, according to official statements.
According to officials, at least 12 fatalities occurred in Missouri, which is more than any other state.
On Sunday morning, Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey stated that at least three individuals lost their lives in her state on Saturday.
“Severe weather hit much of Alabama yesterday,” Ivey stated. “Regrettably, we have confirmed the tragic loss of at least two of our fellow Alabamans — one in Plantersville and another in Winterboro.”
Ivey mentioned that out of Alabama's 67 counties, 52 reported damage due to the severe weather event, adding that assessments were still ongoing.
“The sun has come up in Alabama,” Ivey stated. “We pray for the lives we’ve lost and for those who were hurt. We also pray for our first responders, emergency managers, and line workers who are performing remarkable tasks out in the field at this moment.”
Officials stated that at least eight fatalities occurred in Kansas, six individuals lost their lives in Mississippi, four persons died in Texas, three people succumbed in Arkansas, and four more were killed in Oklahoma.
ABC News' Victoria Arancio
Tornado alerts issued for areas north of Tampa, Florida: National Weather Service
As the nationwide storm keeps expanding over the United States, areas north of Tampa, Florida, are currently facing tornado alerts.
Zephyrhills, Pasadena Hills, and Crystal Springs remain under alert until 7:30 p.m. ET, as reported by the National Weather Service.
3 people missing after Mississippi storm discovered safe
Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi provided an update on the storm conditions on Sunday afternoon following the issuance of a state of emergency declaration late Saturday evening.
The governor stated that initial data suggests up to twelve tornadoes might have swept across the state during the widespread storm.
The storm resulted in six fatalities and 27 injuries in Mississippi; however, the three individuals who were previously unaccounted for have been confirmed as safe, according to Reeves.
The governor stated that out of the twenty-three counties in the state which have reported damages, twelve have submitted emergency requests.
-ABC News' Darren Reynolds
The White House has sent the National Guard to Arkansas.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump used his social media channel to state that the White House is keeping an eye on the series of tornadoes and storms affecting the Midwest and Southern regions.
Thirty-seven people have been killed in the cross-country storm system, according to officials.
Trump said the National Guard has been deployed to Arkansas.
"my administration stands ready to support state and local officials as they aid their communities in recovering from the damages," trump stated.
"We invite Melania and all of you to join us in prayer for those affected by these devastating storms," the president said.
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie
An EF-4 tornado has been verified in Arkansas.
A tornado with an EF-4 rating — the most powerful during this extended period of extreme weather — has been verified in Diaz, Arkansas, as reported by authorities.
Initial data indicated that the tornado had an approximate maximum wind speed of 190 mph.
The most recent EF-4 tornado to hit the region occurred in December 2021.
-ABC News' Daniel Peck
14 houses were damaged in Paulding County, Georgia
At least 14 homes were damaged by falling trees during an intense storm Sunday in Paulding County, Georgia, authorities said.
The storm packing high winds struck along Route 61, uprooting numerous trees, Paulding County Sheriff Ashley Henson said in a video statement posted on Facebook Sunday afternoon.
Henson indicated that at least one tornado likely made landfall in Plauding County.
"At present, we are aware of 14 houses affected by trees either resting upon them or within them," Henson stated.
Henson mentioned that no injuries have been reported so far.
The sheriff mentioned that an electrical transmission line had been damaged as well, leaving approximately 12,000 utility customers in Paulding County without power.
ABC News' Victoria Arancio
A new tornado watch is now in place for West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
On Sunday, a fresh tornado watch was put into effect for parts of West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The intense weather danger is set to escalate throughout this area in the coming hours, as reported by the National Weather Service.
A tornado watch remains active until at least 4 p.m. ET according to the National Weather Service. They have warned that funnel clouds might form in Charleston, West Virginia, as well as in Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania.
Tornado alerts have been issued for at least seven states stretching from Florida to western Pennsylvania.
The NWS stated, "There is a possibility of a few tornadoes as multiple lines and clusters of thunderstorms keep developing and move across the watch zone throughout the afternoon."
Officials have warned that destructive winds reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour may hit the regions affected by severe weather. Additionally, slow-moving thunderstorms could lead to flash floods across multiple states.
ABC News' Daniel Peck
Almost 300,000 people lack power extending from Georgia to Michigan.
At least 289,054 utility customers from Michigan to Georgia were without power Sunday morning, according to the website that tracks power outages nationwide.
Most of the power outages -- 235,654 -- were in Southern states, according to poweroutage.us Over 54,000 utility clients in North Carolina and over 55,500 in Georgia remained without power, as reported on the site.
Power outages were also being experienced in Tennessee, where nearly 27,000 customers were without power; Alabama, where more than 27,000 customers were without electricity; and Mississippi, where more than 10,000 customers were impacted.
Over 61,000 utility clients in Missouri and over 14,000 in Ohio faced power outages, as reported by the outage tracking service. Additionally, close to 40,000 consumers lacked electrical supply in Michigan.
ABC News' Juwon Funes
A tornado warning has been announced for Georgia and the Carolinas.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, issued a tornado watch on Sunday for southeastern Georgia along with both North and South Carolina.
Strong winds with speeds reaching 70 mph along with some potential tornadoes may occur from Sunday morning until early Sunday afternoon across regions including Savannah in Georgia, and extending to cities like Charleston and Columbia in South Carolina, as well as Wilmington in North Carolina, as per the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service reports that a disorganized line of thunderstorms will move eastward through the Watch zone today morning, operating within an environment that has marginal instability but features robust upper-level winds. They warn of increased potential for damaging gusts as well as a possibility of sporadic tornadoes appearing.
ABC News' Max Golembo
Over 250,000 people lack electricity across 8 states.
Over 250,000 customers had their electricity cut off across six states early on Sunday, as reported. Poweroutage.us a website that monitors electricity suppliers.
Approximately 70,000 customers lost electricity in Georgia, with around 63,000 losing power in Missouri afterward. Additionally, roughly 42,000 people lacked power in Tennessee, approximately 37,000 in North Carolina, about 36,000 in Alabama, and around 10,000 in Mississippi.
Further up north, approximately 40,000 people in Michigan and around 15,000 in Ohio remained without electricity.
-ABC News’ Charlotte Slovin
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