A storm system sweeping over large areas of the U.S. South and Midwest resulted in at least 16 weather-related deaths by early Sunday, with overnight tornado and flash flood warnings setting up more severe weather that forecasters say could cause rising waterways for days to come.

Tornadoes and violent winds flattened homes and ripped apart buildings from Oklahoma to Indiana in the first round of storms that are expected to bring record-setting rains and life-threatening flash floods across the nation's midsection in the coming days.

Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding has come for parts of the South and Midwest already heavily waterlogged by days of deadly storms.

About 22 million people are at risk for severe storms Sunday, stretching from central North Carolina southwestward to the central Gulf Coast, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Waters continued to rise in communities from Arkansas to Michigan as the storm, which has killed at least eight, drenched the region. More tornadoes were also possible.

The rising water levels have prompted rescues and road closures. The storm, which has killed at least 16 people, doesn’t show signs of letting up.