CUSHMAN, Ark. (KATV) — A devastating tornado struck Cushman, Arkansas, on Friday claiming the lives of three residents and leaving at least 20 others seeking minor medical treatment, according to the Independence County Sheriff’s Department.

Helen Ginn, who was residing alone, was tragically killed when the storm hit her house. The damage to her home was severe, and authorities have confirmed her death as one of the first fatalities from the storm.

In a nearby mobile home on Claxton Loop, sisters Evelyn Ginn, Ellen Light and Norma Mobley, also lost their lives in the tornado.

Approximately 20 residents from the area sought medical attention for minor injuries, though none of the injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

Local authorities have mobilized teams to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts, while residents are left to cope with the aftermath of the tragic storm.

Throughout the South and Midwest, residents and work crews were beginning to clean up Monday and survey the destruction after severe weather across seven states kicked up a devastating combination of wildfires, dust storms and tornadoes, claiming at least 39 lives since Friday.

PHOTOS |Storms tear through US, killing at least 40 and causing widespread devastation

Wildfires in Oklahoma

Wind-driven wildfires across Oklahoma destroyed more than 400 homes, including more than 70 in and around Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University. Four deaths were blamed on the fires or high winds, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said Sunday.

Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, released the following statement:

I am grateful for the brave men and women at Stillwater Emergency Management, Stillwater Police Department, and Stillwater Fire Department for evacuating folks safely and quickly during yesterday's fires. Their efforts to get neighbors out of harm's way saved lives. Although several homes and neighborhoods were lost and severely damaged, relief efforts are underway by the State, City, and County officials. I am praying for Stillwater and urge everyone to utilize the resources available to them. We must continue to look out for one another and support each other where we can. We will do whatever we can to heal from this devastation. We are Stillwater strong.

Tornadoes in Mississippi, Alabama and Missouri

In Mississippi, six people died and more than 200 were displaced by a string of tornadoes across three counties, the governor said.

Within about an hour of each other on Saturday, two big twisters tore through the county that's home to hard-hit Tylertown, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service.

At least three people were killed in central Alabama, including an 82-year-old woman and an 83-year-old man, the governor and a county sheriff said. A tornado also took the life of Dunk Pickering, a fixture in the community of Plantersville who often hosted live music events and helped neighbors during tough times.

"Whether he knew you or not, he would help anyone. I've known him for 20 years, he's been like that ever since the day I first met him," said John Green, 47, who found Pickering's body in the wreckage of a building just across the street from Green's own home. Pickering's wife survived by hiding in a bathroom.

Green and other neighbors spent at least five hours on Saturday night pulling people from the rubble and carrying them to paramedics who were unable to reach the area because roads were blocked by fallen trees.

WBMA reported that the tornado, classified as at least an EF-2, caused extensive damage, particularly around the old Winterboro High School. The community is mourning the loss of 83-year-old Harry Leon Fain, who was killed when his mobile home was destroyed and thrown across the street.

"Everybody knew him, he was a real nice fellow," said Luther Lackey, a volunteer firefighter and second assistant chief at the Winterboro Volunteer Fire Department. "He came to the fire station four hours early to make sure the storm shelters were open, he said I'd be back, went back home, and four hours later, they had to try to find him."

Scattered twisters killed at least a dozen people in the Missouri, authorities said.

Dakota Henderson said he and others rescuing trapped neighbors found five bodies in rubble Friday night outside what remained of his aunt's house in Wayne County, Missouri.

Dust storms in Kansas and Texas

The high winds spurred dust storms that led to almost a dozen deaths in car crashes Friday.

Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

Editor's Note: KOKH, WBMA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.