At least 21 people are reported dead after tornadoes hit the US states of Kentucky and Missouri.
Officials in Kentucky said 14 people died due to the severe weather, while seven people died in Missouri, including five in the city of St Louis.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, stating that the death toll is expected to rise in his state.
Officials said 5,000 buildings were damaged, roofs were torn off and power lines were downed as a tornado struck Friday.
About 100,000 homes in St. Louis were left without power, and the fire department said house-to-house searches were being conducted in the hardest-hit areas.
The National Weather Service warned of further devastation to hit Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. The Midwest tornadoes were also expected to hit Illinois, eventually extending into New Jersey and along the Atlantic coast.