The death toll from storms and tornadoes in the United States rises to 20

The death toll from storms, floods, and tornadoes across the United States has risen to 20 since Wednesday, ABC News reported Sunday.

The report, broadcast by the American network, stated that "since Wednesday, at least 20 people have died due to the severe weather conditions that have struck the United States."

Citing authorities and fire departments in the storm-affected states, the TV station reported that in the past 24 hours, two people died in Georgia, one in Tennessee, a 5-year-old child in Arkansas, and a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter in Missouri.

Flooding is a threat in the Mississippi and Ohio river basins and more than half of Alabama and Georgia counties, according to the National Weather Service. Freeze warnings also apply to Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Earlier on April 3, the National Weather Service reported that the threat of tornadoes and storm surges was present in nine states—Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana. The threat of strong winds and flash flooding extends to Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Michigan along the storm's path.