A powerful storm system that tore across the United States in recent days is poised to move offshore into the Atlantic Monday, but in its wake are devastated communities across multiple states that were hit with violent tornadoes,

Millions of Americans across the country are on alert for a severe weather outbreak as violent, long-track tornadoes with damaging winds of up to 80 mph and large hail are expected across the Midwest and South with the cross-country storm moving east.

The dynamic storm from Friday through Sunday had earned an unusual “high risk” designation from weather forecasters.

Violent tornadoes ripped through parts of the U.S., wiping out schools and toppling semitractor-trailers in several states.

At least 19 people have died as an outbreak of tornadoes ravished through the South and Midwest early Saturday morning, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.