Local authorities said dozens have been killed and tornado risk continue on March 16 across the central United States after a massive storm system.

A violent tornado outbreak has swept through the South and Midwest, leaving at least 29 people dead and causing widespread damage. The storm system, which has battered states such as Mississippi, Missouri,

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.

Tornadoes in the South and Midwest overnight and early Saturday left 11 dead in Missouri. More tornadoes are forecast Saturday and Sunday.

Abe Cook, the director of an emergency management agency in Franklin County, Missouri, discusses the widespread damage from severe weather and tornadoes across the state.

Several states throughout the Midwest and South reported tornadoes overnight, with widespread damage and multiple fatalities reported in Missouri. KSDK's Megan Kernan and Travis Cummings report on the latest damage.