"Some tornadoes could be long-lasting, adding to the danger, especially for those that occur after dark." The storm is expected to bring severe thunderstorms to the East Coast on Sunday,

The weather cut a swathe of destruction across an area of the country that is home to more than 100 million people.

At least 13 people are dead after severe weather hit parts of Missouri and Arkansas overnight, officials said. Ten storm-related fatalities were reported in the Missouri counties of Ozark, Butler, Wayne and Jefferson,

Meanwhile, the severe weather threat will linger through Sunday from Florida northward into the upper Ohio River Valley, forecasters warned.