Eastern US braces for severe storms, tornadoes and possible flash flooding

As a multiday severe weather event shifts eastward on Tuesday, an exceptionally active day is shaping up across much of the eastern US.Over 116 million people are in the threat zone as severe storms bring the risk of tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail, along with heavy rain that brings an increasing risk of widespread flash flooding.The multiday threat kicked off Monday, impacting portions of the Upper Midwest throughout the afternoon and evening with multiple tornado-warned storms, large hail, and damaging winds.Some of the highest wind gusts were reported in Iowa, where Sheffield recorded 80 mph.Meanwhile, Watson, Michigan, saw 3-inch hail.As severe weather shifts eastward on Tuesday, conditions mirror Saturday’s high-impact event of severe storms and flash flooding across parts of the region.A very active pattern now brings the potential for both severe storms and flash flooding across a massive stretch from the Midwest to the Northeast.The severe weather threat has been upgraded to a Level 3 out of 5 for 35 million people, with another 50 million under a Level 2 threat on Tuesday.The first round of storms is expected to develop during the morning hours, stretching from eastern Virginia up into the Tri-State area and southern New England. While this will be the weaker of the two rounds, these storms will still be capable of producing gusty winds and torrential downpours. Flash flooding is also possible—especially in urban areas—and could impact the morning commute.“Significant flash flooding is also on the table, and we could be looking at more scenes of underwater roads and flooded subways,” the FOX Forecast Center said.But more than anything, this initial wave will set the stage for the main event later in the day.The primary line of thunderstorms will take shape by mid-morning along a pre-frontal trough ahead of the main cold front, extending from the upper Ohio Valley up into western New York. These storms will gradua...