texas, oklahoma, nebraska among the states in the line of fire. a tornado emergency declared in parts of nebraska, meaning large tornadoes were on the ground threatening population centers. many of the images as frightening as they are dramatic. tonight, tornado watches stretching nearly 900 miles. we'll tell you who is at risk as we head into the night in just a moment, but first jesse kirsch with the latest, and, jesse, this is hitting a wide area of the country. >> reporter: that's right, lester. millions of americans are in the bull's-eye tonight including where we are in kansas city, missouri. you can see wind gusts are starting to pick up here. meanwhile, there have already been some tornadoes in other states leaving behind a path of destruction. [ sirens ] tonight, a tornado outbreak is unfolding across nebraska. over a dozen twisters already reported with more severe weather on the way. in the lincoln, nebraska, area, debris seen swirling as this violent tornado ripped across an interstate. elsewhere, some drivers heading towards the omino