On Sunday at 12:51 a.m. an updated tornado watch was released by the National Weather Service in effect until 3 a.m. for Barbour, Bullock, Pike and Russell counties.

The watch, which had been anticipated, is in effect until 3 a.m. on Sunday and its issuance comes as a large area of deadly and dangerous weather moves across Alabama.

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.

An "outbreak" of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms is expected through Saturday night in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other southern states.