Millions of Americans across the country are on alert for a severe weather outbreak as violent, long-track tornadoes with damaging winds of up to 80 mph and large hail are expected across the Midwest and South with the cross-country storm moving east.

Some of the hardest-hit areas include Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi, where widespread devastation has been reported. In Mississippi, the community of Elliott was ravaged by nocturnal tornadoes,

A powerful storm system sweeping through the central and southern United States has resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people.