By Rich McKay and Tatiana Bautzer (Reuters) -Portions of Pennsylvania, New York and Mid-Atlantic and Southeast states were still under a National Weather Service watch for damaging wind and tornadoes,

The death toll from tornadoes and violent storms that ravaged the central and southern United States over the weekend has risen to at least 40 people, with dozens more injured, local authorities said.

The weakening but still volatile weather system was moving Monday into the U.S. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, bringing thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds and the potential for more tornadoes.

A dynamic storm that prompted foreboding predictions of dangerous weekend weather spawned tornadoes, dust storms and wildfires that killed at least 39 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.

Unusually vicious and damaging weather across multiple U.S. states spawned violent tornadoes, blinding dust storms and fast-moving wildfires over the weekend, leaving at least 39 people dead. In the latest tally of the destruction,

At least seven tornadoes hit Alabama on Saturday, and that number will likely climb even higher later today. The National Weather Service plans to continue looking at storm damage and has several areas that will be visited by storm survey teams today (Monday).

At least three people were confirmed dead in Alabama after a wave of severe storms spawned tornadoes across the state throughout Saturday evening, causing power outages, downed trees and destroyed structures.

The National Weather Service has survey teams out across Alabama on Sunday surveying damage after many tornadoes are reported to have touched down around the state.