By Rich McKay and Tatiana Bautzer (Reuters) -Portions of Pennsylvania, New York and Mid-Atlantic and Southeast states were still under a National Weather Service watch for damaging wind and tornadoes,

The death toll from tornadoes and violent storms that ravaged the central and southern United States over the weekend has risen to at least 40 people, with dozens more injured, local authorities said.

The weakening but still volatile weather system was moving Monday into the U.S. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, bringing thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds and the potential for more tornadoes.

Violent tornadoes and high winds decimated homes, wiped out schools and toppled semitractor-trailers as a monster storm that killed at least 32 people ripped its way across the central and southern U.

The weather cut a swathe of destruction across an area of the country that is home to more than 100 million people.

Severe weather hit Middle Tennessee Saturday, resulting in Tornado Watches and Warnings, thunderstorms, flooding and strong winds.

A powerful storm system tore through the central and southern United States, leaving destruction in its wake and killing at least 36 people. The storm, which produced violent tornadoes, raging wildfires,

Tornadoes in the South and Midwest overnight and early Saturday left 11 dead in Missouri. More tornadoes are forecast Saturday and Sunday.

Abe Cook, the director of an emergency management agency in Franklin County, Missouri, discusses the widespread damage from severe weather and tornadoes across the state.

Six fatalities were reported after severe storms moved through Mississippi on Saturday. Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) said he signed a State of Emergency on Saturday in order to mobilize state assets and better support response and recovery efforts.