A powerful weather system swept up the U.S. East Coast on Monday with pounding rain and high winds, potentially snarling travel for millions after tornadoes killed at least 18 people in Georgia and Mississippi over the weekend.

Storm System Roars Up East Coast Toward NYC

A powerful weather system swept up the U.S. East Coast on Monday with pounding rain and high winds, potentially snarling travel for millions after tornadoes killed at least 18 people in Georgia and Mississippi over the weekend.

Emergency management officials warned New York City residents to brace for winds of up to 70 mph (112 kph) through Monday night, with several inches (cm) of drenching rains. Flood advisories and watches were issued for four of the city’s five boroughs.

AccuWeather forecast that up to 2 inches (5 cm) of rain could drench an area stretching from Pittsburgh to Washington, New York and Boston by late on Tuesday.

WABC Meteorologist Bill Evans says the rain will be heaviest Monday afternoon and evening with 1.5-2 inches of rainfall expected that could cause localized flooding.

Forecasters say the strongest winds are expected Monday afternoon into the early evening and say the winds could down trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are already being reported throughout the Tri-State area.