A relentless barrage of violent tornadoes, raging wildfires, and blinding dust storms has unleashed catastrophic destruction across the central and southern United States, leaving at least 33 people dead and communities shattered.

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.

Three people were killed in Missouri as a series of tornadoes hit the U.S. Midwest and southeast overnight, raking a path of destruction that was still being assessed early on Saturday, police said. A