26 killed in one week US storms

At least eight people were killed in Texas Saturday after new storms, raising the death toll to 26 in a week of tornado activity in several U.S. states, according to media reports.

Local media said five deaths occurred in the city of Garland as multiple cars became caught in the severe weather. Three others, including an infant of unknown age, were found dead in Collin County.

More than 30 tornado warnings were issued across northern Texas Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Officials said the full extent of damage would not be known until Sunday morning.

Search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing, authorities said.

Saturday's deaths come days after tornadoes and severe storms battered parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, killing at least 18 people.

National Weather Service forecast dangerous weather conditions would continue across the middle of the country through Sunday.

"Blizzard conditions will stretch from the High Plains of west Texas into northwest Oklahoma and Kansas. Hazardous ice accumulations will occur in Oklahoma. Dangerous flooding will extend from north Texas to central Illinois. Thunderstorms and a few tornadoes are possible in Texas," the agency said.

A blizzard warning for the region went into effect late Saturday and continues until Monday morning.