​At least 20 people have died and three are still missing as severe weather hit the US Midwest and South over the weekend. Flooding rain, strong winds and tornadoes were reported in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee. The front, described as “powerhouse of an upper level system,” moved northeast and turned its eyes to the Middle Atlantic and Northeast on Monday, May 1. This, however, is not the end of severe weather in the region as another in a series of low pressure systems is expected to bring a new round of heavy rainfall and potential flooding to many of the same areas that were impacted over the weekend.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said there were 769 preliminary reports of severe weather from Saturday to Monday as of 03:00 UTC today. The reports include 30 reports of tornadoes from Texas to Illinois and Mississippi on Saturday and Sunday. The region also saw around 1 million lightning strikes.

At least 6 tornadoes, one of which has a preliminary intensity of EF-4 (Eustace to West Canton), struck Texas killing at least 4 people and injuring 56. Six people, including a fire chief who was struck by a vehicle while working during a storm, died in Arkansas after up to 280 mm (11 inches) of rain flooded the state. Two children are still missing in Arkansas after being swept away by floodwaters. At least four people died in Missouri and Mississippi, and one in Tennessee.

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A devastating weekend of weather. Video courtesy The Weather Channel….More Here