Severe storms and tornadoes over the weekend kill at least 20 people in four states

At least 21 people were killed in a storm over the Memorial Day weekend that brought tornadoes, hailstone-sized hail, destructive winds and power outages for thousands of people across the central United States.

The worst of the storms occurred Saturday night, when at least 20 tornadoes were spotted by radar or with the naked eye across the region, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Storm damage was reported in Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas. At least a dozen people were killed in these storms.

Another wave of dangerous storms followed on Sunday, causing more tornadoes and widespread destruction and deaths in several states.

Tornado in Texas claims seven lives, including two children

Some of the most devastating damage in Texas occurred outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In a press conference, Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington said seven people were killed and more than 100 injured. Two children were among the dead, the sheriff said.

This is the deadliest tornado in Texas state history since 2015. The NWS preliminarily rated it EF-2 with winds of 135 mph (217 km/h). Another tornado that devastated Montague County was also preliminarily rated EF-2.

CHILDREN AMONG THE 7 DEAD IN TEXAS AFTER DEADLIEST TORNADO SINCE 2015

Several people were injured at a travel center and a Shell gas station on Interstate 35 near Valley View, where dozens of people sought shelter during the tornado.

Denton County officials said a tornado moved into the northern part of the county late Saturday, damaging homes, overturning mobile homes and downing power lines in the area.

Significant damage was reported to the marina and RVs at Lake Ray Roberts.

The Denton Fire Department reported that multiple victims were trapped in the above-mentioned building and that significant damage was reported along the Denton-Cooke county line.

A semi-trailer truck overturned on I-35, knocking down power lines and shutting down traffic for several hours, county officials said.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency in four counties.

WATCH: 2 WOMEN SURVIVE DEADLY TEXAS TORNADO THAT PASSED ACROSS THE ROAD THEY WERE TRAVELING ON

Oklahoma reports 2 storm-related deaths during outbreak

A single supercell that was part of the severe storms began in northeastern Oklahoma and continued along the Missouri-Arkansas state line, causing widespread destruction along its path.

In northeast Oklahoma, two people were killed and others injured when a tornado struck Mayes County, according to emergency officials. The NWS investigation team analyzing the damage tentatively classified it as an EF-3.

Johnny Janzen, Mayes County emergency management director, said most of the damage occurred near East 427 and West 470 roads.

At least 8 dead in storms in Arkansas

According to officials, at least eight people in Arkansas died as a result of the storm.

At least one possible tornado and wind gusts over 60 miles per hour caused damage in Bentonville, Arkansas. Benton County Judge Barry Moehring said in a news conference that authorities had confirmed several injuries in the east of the county and at least one death.

The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office said one person died and several others were injured in the storm.

The NWS classified the tornado that devastated Boon County as an EF-3.

At least eight dead in Arkansas as tornado outbreak devastates towns

Harrison city officials said a young woman was killed when a possible tornado touched down in the Bellefonte area, crossed Highway 65 and then destroyed homes in the Olvey area. Additional injuries were reported from the damaged homes.

The Sheriff’s Office in Marion County, Arkansas, reported that two people died as a result of the storms.

Arkansas authorities confirmed three more storm-related deaths on Monday, but did not release details about the victims.

Kentucky reports at least 4 deaths

In Kentucky, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed one death, one injury, and several buildings with structural damage as a result of the storms on Saturday night.

Another person was killed in Mercer County, Kentucky, during another bout of severe weather Sunday night when a tree fell on a home, according to Mercer County Emergency Management Director Brad Cox. The home’s other resident was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed two more storm-related deaths in an update on Monday.

Beshear declared emergency zones in five Kentucky counties.