tornadoes

Emergency services responded overnight to reports of people missing or trapped in their homes after a tornado touched down in beach communities in North Carolina.

An extreme weather system left at least six people dead in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, which saw several deadly tornadoes touch down and damage buildings Wednesday evening.

Dangerous storms are set to hit the southeastern United States on Easter Sunday. Faced with a choice between social distancing and taking cover in a shelter, experts recommend sheltering with others.

At least 24 people died and dozens more were injured in the storms across the state earlier this week. On Friday, the president visited some of the hardest-hit areas with a message of hope.

State officials say the overnight twisters damaged buildings and roads across multiple counties. Thousands are without power, and a state of emergency remains in effect.

Severe storms and damaging winds are forecast for the region into Tuesday.

The massive tornado skirted the metropolitan area but struck several towns to the west of Kansas City, Kan., leaving damaged houses "for a mile in every direction."

Severe weather has walloped Oklahoma this month. First major flooding hit much of the state, then a tornado shredded a small town, killing two people. More floods are forecast for later this week.

One social scientist says it's how people interpret these warnings that matters and that "we need to get out there and do a better job of understanding their perspective."