Severe weather whips up Texas fires, threatens tornadoes in nation's midsection

Main Idea: A powerful storm system is causing deaths, tornado risk, wildfires, dust storms, and power outages across a large part of the central and southern U.S.

Key Points:

• At least six people have died, including tornado-related deaths in Missouri and deadly car crashes in Texas caused by blowing dust and low visibility.
• About 138 million people are at risk of severe weather, with tornado warnings and watches in several states.
• The storms have damaged buildings, knocked out power for more than 300,000 customers, and helped spread more than 100 wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma.
• The system is expected to move east, bringing more tornado risk, damaging winds, hail, and later winter weather in other parts of the country.