Strong storms in Southeastern US have killed 19, injured more than 50, and left thousands without power.

(WASHINGTON, DC) 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 tornados 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.

Fourteen people died in weekend tornadoes and thunderstorms in Georgia, with seven dying in Cook County in the southern part of the state. Governor Nathan Deal declared an emergency for seven counties in the south-central part of the state.

Mississippi reported four deaths from a tornado on Saturday. Severe weather also injured more than 50 people and damaged about 480 homes in Mississippi.

In Alabama, 4,600 homes and businesses were without power early Monday, down from 29,000 on Sunday afternoon, utility Alabama Power said.

Reuters copy, TRUNEWS analysis