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

A new tornado watch was issued Sunday for parts of West Virginia, Ohio and PA.

Last Updated: March 16, 2025, 8:34 PM EDT

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.

The same storm system delivered raging winds to the Plains states earlier, leading to wildfires and severe dust storms that left more than a dozen people dead in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma.

Overall, at least 40 deaths have been recorded from the cross-country storm system.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Mar 16, 2025, 8:34 PM EDT

Death toll climbs to 40

At least 40 people in seven states have died amid the severe weather outbreak, officials said Sunday.

At least 12 deaths were reported in Missouri, the most of any state, officials said.

Stevie Kara searches for personal items after her home was destroyed March 15, 2025 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Brad Vest/Getty Images

On Sunday morning, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said at least three people were killed in her state on Saturday.

"Yesterday's severe weather impacted most of Alabama," Ivey said in a statement. "Unfortunately, we have learned of the loss of at least two of our fellow Alabamians -- one life in Plantersville and one in Winterboro."

Ivey said 52 of Alabama's 67 counties reported damage from the severe weather outbreak and that a damage assessment was continuing.

"The sun has risen in Alabama, though," Ivey said. "We pray for those lives we lost, as well as those who were injured. And we pray for our first responders, emergency management officials, and linemen who are doing incredible work on the ground right now."

At least eight deaths were reported in Kansas; six people in Mississippi were killed; four people perished in Texas; three people died in Arkansas; and four people were killed in Oklahoma, officials said.

ABC News' Victoria Arancio

Mar 16, 2025, 7:18 PM EDT

Tornado warnings issued north of Tampa, Florida: NWS

As the cross-country storm continues to spread across the United States, cities north of Tampa, Florida, are now under tornado warnings.

Zephyrhills, Pasadena Hills and Crystal Springs are under alert until 7:30 p.m. ET, according to the National Weather Service.

Mar 16, 2025, 6:33 PM EDT

3 missing in Mississippi storm found alive

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves shared a storm update Sunday afternoon after signing a state of emergency declaration Saturday night.

The governor said preliminary information shows as many as 12 tornadoes could have ripped through the state in the cross-country storm.

The storm left six dead and 27 injured in Mississippi, but the three people reported missing were found alive, Reeves said.

Twenty-three counties in the state are reporting damage and 12 filed emergency requests, the governor said.

-ABC News' Darren Reynolds

Mar 16, 2025, 5:55 PM EDT

White House deploys National Guard to Arkansas

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.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One as he departs from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Mar. 14, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

"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

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