President Donald Trump has activated the National Guard in tornado-struck Arkansas after storms ripped through multiple states over the weekend, leaving at least 37 dead.

Thousands of power outages were reported Saturday as a deadly severe weather outbreak moved across the Midwest and South.

The most fatalities were in Missouri. Forecasters warned that tornadoes, hail and violent winds continue to threaten states in the Deep South, from Louisiana to Georgia.

A Tornado WATCH is in effect for North Central Arkansas until 11 p.m. Friday as strong to severe storms capable of producing tornadoes are expected this evening. More watches may be issued for eastern Arkansas later tonight.

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.

At 5:02 p.m. on Saturday, the National Weather Service issued an updated tornado watch in effect until 8 p.m. for Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox counties.

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.

Large and destructive tornadoes are carving paths of destruction across the South for the second day in a row.