O KLAHOMA CITY — The threat of violent tornadoes in parts of the U.S. proved deadly as well as destructive as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, with at least 16 people killed and scores of homes decimated.

A powerful storm system roared across the Midwest and South Friday night, unleashing a series of tornadoes that carved paths of destruction and left at least three dead in Missouri.

A massive storm system is sweeping its way across the country this weekend, prompting severe weather including wildfires, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. On Friday, a large storm system swept through the central U.