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.

Meanwhile, the severe weather threat will linger through Sunday from Florida northward into the upper Ohio River Valley, forecasters warned.

Unusually vicious and damaging weather across multiple U.S. states spawned violent tornadoes, blinding dust storms and fast-moving wildfires over the weekend, leaving at least 39 people dead. In the latest tally of the destruction,

Cumberland, Hoke, Moore, Harnett, Lee, Sampson, Scotland and Richmond counties are among 11 central N.C. counties under a tornado watch until 2 p.m. Sunday. The watch was later extended to an additional 20 counties, imcluding Chatham.

A tornado warning is in effect until 10 a.m. for Stanly County, North Carolina. The storm is moving toward Ablemarle in the Big Lick area.