Winter Storm Puts 3 Million Under Tornado Watch In Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana And Oklahoma

A tornado watch has been issued for the first time this year in parts of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, as the powerful winter storm that caused severe flooding in California moves to the east.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center said more than 3 million people could be affected by possible tornadoes, winds of up to 70 mph, and up to 2 inches in diameter of large hail.

Brad Bryant, the meteorologist-in-charge at the NWS office in Shreveport, Louisiana, urged residents to seek safe shelter ahead of the severe weather.

"If you wait around for a warning to be issued, it is too late," Bryant said, CNN reported.

"You need to have a safe shelter plan in place in advance of these storms."

Bryant noted that the region had already experienced three incidents of severe weather since November, and most of the reported fatalities occurred in mobile homes.

In Jessieville, Arkansas, the Garland County Office of Emergency Management has already reported damages following a suspected tornado.

Fourteen homes were damaged by the natural disaster, with two of them destroyed.

Courtney Kizer, the spokesperson for the Garland County Sheriff's office, said seven of Jessieville's school district buildings were damaged.

According to the sheriff's office, the school was in session at the time of the possible tornado, but they have not received reports of injuries among students.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has already activated the state's emergency response resources to "ensure Texans and their property remain safe from severe weather threats."

"As we monitor conditions and potential threats, I urge Texans in affected areas to heed the guidance of local officials and remain weather-aware as severe weather systems develop. We will swiftly provide all necessary resources to address severe weather and protect our communities," Abbott said.

Authorities in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, have urged residents to stay away from roads due to fallen trees and floods.

As the weather system barreled towards the east, it left two people dead in California.

Authorities said a driver was found dead inside his submerged vehicle in Sacramento, and a fallen tree killed a 72-year-old man at the Lighthouse Field State Beach in Santa Cruz, UPI reported.