In the United States, at least two people died and thousands of flights were cancelled or delayed as severe storms, including hail and lightning, moved through the eastern US. More than 1.1 million homes and businesses have lost power. 

The National Weather Service statement warned that there is a significant threat of damaging and locally destructive hurricane-force winds, along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes.

The storms’ spread was massive, with tornado watches and warnings posted across 10 states from Tennessee to New York. The National Weather Service said more than 29.5 million people were under a tornado watch.