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.

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

A Tornado WATCH is in effect for North Central Arkansas until 11 p.m. Friday as strong to severe storms capable of producing tornadoes are expected this evening. More watches may be issued for eastern Arkansas later tonight.

Cumberland, Hoke, Moore, Harnett, Lee, Sampson, Scotland and Richmond counties are among 11 central N.C. counties under a tornado watch until 2 p.m. Sunday. The watch was later extended to an additional 20 counties, imcluding Chatham.

At 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, the National Weather Service released an updated tornado watch in effect until 7 p.m. for Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Lycoming, Perry, Snyder and Union counties.