Severe storms left at least 14 people dead across Missouri and Arkansas as forecasters warned that intense, long-lasting storms at a level typically experienced only once or twice in a lifetime could sweep across a vast section of the South on Saturday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 11 fatalities in the state, with six in Wayne County, three in Ozark County, one in Butler County and one in Jefferson County.

In Arkansas, three people were killed in Independence County, and 29 others were injured across the state, according to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management. The state experienced extensive storm damage, the agency said.

The National Weather Service on Saturday issued the highest risk alert for tornadoes in some parts of the South.

By midafternoon on Saturday, severe storms were pounding parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. The National Weather Service reported that tornadoes touched down near Kentwood, La., and Bassfield, Miss. Tornado warnings and shelter-in-place orders were issued in surrounding towns, according to the agency.

Locations of tornado sightings or damage reported since Friday.

Source: National Weather Service | Notes: Reports are considered preliminary. Data is for the 48 hours starting March 14 at 8 a.m. Eastern, during which updates are being made every 10 minutes.

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