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.

Residents are surveying damage from unusually vicious weather in multiple U.S. states where violent twisters, blinding dust storms and fast-moving wildfires decimated entire neighborhoods.

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.