Northeast Braces for Severe Storms as 38 Million Face Tornado and Flood Threat

A cold front sweeping across the Great Lakes will bring scattered severe storms to the Northeast on Thursday, placing about 38 million people in a Level 2 out of 5 risk for tornadoes and flash flooding, with major cities like New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Baltimore in the threat zone. Forecasters warn of damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes, while flood watches cover more than 25 million from Philadelphia to NYC and rainfall totals may reach 1–2 inches in some areas; leftover clouds could also obscure a partial lunar eclipse.