A powerful, wide-reaching spring storm is threatening parts of the central and eastern US, with a life-threatening outbreak of long-lived and strong tornadoes possible in some areas. Follow here for live updates.

A tornado outbreak is expected to rip parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois on Wednesday. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a rare ‘high’ risk severe weather outlook, warning millions in the Midwest and South.

A series of severe storms triggered tornado warnings and tornado watches in much of central and northern Illinois on March 19, moving out of the area by late evening. The storms caused a smattering of power outages in northwest Indiana and widespread damage across the Chicagoland area.

A life-threatening outbreak of long-lived and strong tornadoes is expected today in parts of the central and eastern US from a powerful, wide-reaching spring storm.

As thunderstorms threatened to hit parts of the Midwest and South, forecasters warned of flash flooding and tornadoes.

A massive storm hitting the central U.S. on Wednesday could spin up damaging tornadoes and dump heavy rain from northern Texas to the Great Lakes.

Weather balloon releases — tracking temperature, pressure and wind speed — have been suspended or reduced in the Midwest and Great Plains.

Severe weather is ripping roofs off buildings, blowing over semitrailers and flooding roadways in parts of several states including Missouri, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana.The rare "high risk" threat continues into tonight,