Tornado outbreak live updates: 40 dead in cross-country storm system

President Donald Trump took to his social media platform on Sunday to say that the White House is monitoring the spate of tornadoes and storms impacting the Midwest and South.

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 is ready to assist State and Local Officials, as they help their communities to try and recover from the damage," Trump wrote.

"Please join Melania and me in praying for everyone impacted by these terrible storms!" the president added.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

An EF-4-rated tornado -- the strongest of this multi-day, severe weather outbreak -- has been confirmed in Diaz, Arkansas, according to officials.

Preliminary information showed the twister had an estimated peak winds of 190 mph.

The last EF-4 tornado to impact the area was in December 2021.

-ABC News' Daniel Peck

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.

At least one tornado is suspected to have touched down in Plauding County, Henson said.

"Right now we know there are 14 homes that have been impacted by trees either on them or in them," Henson said.

Henson said no injuries have been reported.

The sheriff said an electrical transmission line was also damaged and about 12,000 utility customers in Paulding County were without electricity.

ABC News' Victoria Arancio

A new tornado watch was issued Sunday for portions of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The severe weather threat will be ramping up across this region over the next few hours, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado watch is in effect until at least 4 p.m. ET. Funnel clouds could develop in Charleston, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania, the NWS said.

At least seven states from Florida to western Pennsylvania are under tornado watches.

"A couple tornadoes are also possible. Multiple lines and clusters of thunderstorms will continue to develop and sweep across the watch area through the afternoon hours," the NWS said.

Potentially damaging winds of up to 70 mph are expected in the severe weather areas, officials said. Slow-moving thunderstorms are also expected to impact several states with the possibility of flash flooding.

ABC News' Daniel Peck