Parts of Mississippi could face tornadoes with winds in excess of 200 miles per hour along with hail over 2 inches wide on Saturday.

Jeff Smitherman, the director of an Alabama emergency management agency, joins ABC News live to discuss the high-risk alert for potential tornado outbreaks in Alabama and Mississippi.

The severe storm threat begins Saturday. Central and northern MS face heightened risk, and forecasters are warning of danger across the state.

Twelve fatalities were reported in Missouri – the most of any state struck by the storm – from scattered twisters, thunderstorms and large hail that ravaged dozens of communities. “Homes and businesses have been destroyed, entire communities are without power and the road to recovery will not be easy,” Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a statement.

Thousands of power outages were reported Saturday as a deadly severe weather outbreak moved across the Midwest and South.

"The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and several tornadoes," National Weather Service warns