Huge storm set to impact 100M people in US, with tornado, blizzard and wildfire threats

The National Weather Service (NWS) on Friday warned the U.S. to brace for a major multi-day storm outbreak that's set to sweep the nation -- with the potential to impact more than 100 million people.

The agency said the storm might unleash "significant" tornadoes in the Mississippi Valley, as well as blizzards in the northern Plains.

Dry, gusty conditions in Texas and Oklahoma also pose serious risks of wildfires, according to the agency, along with widespread damaging winds from the Canadian line to the Rio Grande border with Mexico.

Video from "The Storm Chasing Guy" shows a wreckage along a highway in Canyon, Texas, which was caused by extreme wind.

The threat for dangerous severe weather -- including tornadoes -- will linger into the nighttime hours tonight in the mid-Mississippi Valley into the lower Ohio River Valley and on Saturday night for the central Gulf Coast States and Deep South," the NWS noted online.

By early Friday afternoon, the NWS said several wildfires were already active in parts of Texas and Oklahoma, promoting at least a few evacuation alerts sent by local emergency management.

If wildfires are threatening your area, stay informed of evacuation orders," the NWS noted on social media. "Leave immediately when asked to avoid being caught in fire, smoke, or road congestion. Have an emergency supply kit in your vehicle and know your evacuation route.

Meteorologists said there is a moderate chance of tornadoes and damaging winds that will move farther south Saturday to New Orleans and Alabama.

Heavy rain might also bring flash flooding to some parts of the East Coast on Sunday.

Forecasters said tornadoes, damaging winds and hail up to baseball-size were likely, with the greatest risk in eastern Missouri, much of Illinois and portions of Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas.

The NWS's Storm Prediction Center said 17 million people faced an enhanced to moderate severe storm threat from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi.

The agency said a potential for dry thunderstorms in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas carry the added risk of fires being started by lightning with minimal rainfall to stop them from spreading.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.