Big March storm fans wildfires and kills 3 as forecasters fear weekend tornado outbreak Boston 25 News [Video]

OKLAHOMA CITY — (AP) — A sprawling storm system crossing the U.S. on Friday caused deadly crashes, overturned semitrucks and fanned dozens of wildfires in several central states, prompting evacuation orders in some communities. At least five tornadoes touched down in Missouri, and threats of more loomed for the Mississippi Valley into the night and the Deep South on Saturday.

The National Weather Service warned of extreme weather across a vast swath of the country that is home to more than 100 million people. Powerful winds gusting up to 80 mph (130 kph) were forecast from the Canadian border to Texas.

Three people were killed Friday in car crashes in the Texas Panhandle caused by a dust storm, according to Sgt. Cindy Barkley with the state’s department of public safety.

“It’s been a nightmare out here,” Barkley said, adding it was difficult to assess many of the crashes due to the near-zero visibility from the dust.

Nearly 150 fires were reported in …