CNN's Ivan Cabrera reports as a powerful earthquake triggers tsunami waves off the coast of Japan.
Floods
Alabama, Louisiana declare emergencies; N.J. expects 'significant event'
Alabama and Louisiana on Wednesday declared states of emergency after twisters hit some areas, while floods submerged others - all part of a severe storm system making its way to the Northeast, where significant flooding was expected Thursday.
In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie late Wednesday declared a state of emergency for areas along the Passaic and Delaware rivers and flood-prone Bound Brook in Somerset County.
In the South earlier Wednesday, winds tore roofs off buildings, overturned cars and injured several people. A woman died in a house fire in Mississippi that authorities believe was caused by lightning.
Two apparent tornadoes damaged buildings near Mobile in southwest Alabama, hours after several tornadoes were reported to the west near New Orleans, La.
Several tornadoes also touched down in southern Mississippi damaging some mobile homes, according to the police department in Biloxi.
Alabama and Louisiana on Wednesday declared states of emergency after twisters hit some areas, while floods submerged others - all part of a severe storm system making its way to the Northeast, where significant flooding was expected Thursday.
In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie late Wednesday declared a state of emergency for areas along the Passaic and Delaware rivers and flood-prone Bound Brook in Somerset County.
In the South earlier Wednesday, winds tore roofs off buildings, overturned cars and injured several people. A woman died in a house fire in Mississippi that authorities believe was caused by lightning.
Two apparent tornadoes damaged buildings near Mobile in southwest Alabama, hours after several tornadoes were reported to the west near New Orleans, La.
Several tornadoes also touched down in southern Mississippi damaging some mobile homes, according to the police department in Biloxi.
© The Associated Press / Toby Talbot
Dave Jacobs tries to shovel out his car so he could head to Mad River ski area on Monday, March 7, 2011 in Montpelier, Vt. The National Weather Service says the winter storm that's whacking northern Vermont is going to be one for the record books. Meteorologist Bruce Taber says 20.6 inches of snow has fallen at the Burlington International Airport and it's supposed to keep snowing through the early afternoon. He says some parts of northern Vermont could get up to 30 inches of snow.
Dave Jacobs tries to shovel out his car so he could head to Mad River ski area on Monday, March 7, 2011 in Montpelier, Vt. The National Weather Service says the winter storm that's whacking northern Vermont is going to be one for the record books. Meteorologist Bruce Taber says 20.6 inches of snow has fallen at the Burlington International Airport and it's supposed to keep snowing through the early afternoon. He says some parts of northern Vermont could get up to 30 inches of snow.
As of 1 p.m., 23.3 inches of snow had fallen at Burlington International Airport - the biggest March snowfall there on record_ and it wasn't finished yet.
At Aubuchon Hardware in downtown Montpelier, the most popular types of snow shovels were sold out, the grass seed was on display and store were readying shelves for more springtime wares.
"Smile, folks - it's coming," Tom Walbridge said of the spring season scheduled to start in just two weeks. Outside told a different story.
The storm helped push the winter of 2010-11 up the record list. Even before the snow stopped, it became the fourth-snowiest winter on record in Burlington, at 121.4 inches, and the storm appeared potent enough to challenge the famous Valentine's Day blitz in 2007 that dumped 25.7 inches on Burlington, Taber said.
© Al Behrman/AP
A high water barricade blocks a public landing along the Ohio River, Thursday in Cincinnati.
A high water barricade blocks a public landing along the Ohio River, Thursday in Cincinnati.
Rayne - A suspected tornado hit the southwestern Louisiana town of Rayne on Saturday, injuring 12 people, leveling homes and causing natural gas leaks that prompted evacuations.
Of the 12 injuries, one was severe, a spokeswoman for the Rayne sheriff's office told msnbc.com.
Donald Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, said Saturday that a crew is headed to the scene to determine if the high winds were a tornado. The destruction hit the Acadia Parish town of about 8,500 around 10 a.m. as a line of violent thunderstorms moved through the area.
State Police Trooper Stephen Hammons said several houses have been destroyed or damaged, and the area has been evacuated because of natural gas leaks. Utility crews were going door-to-door to check for leaks, and residents were sent to a fire station to take shelter.
There were reports of at least two ruptured gas lines, Jones said.
Trees and power lines had been knocked down across about an eighth of a mile, said Acadian Ambulance supervisor Troy Guidry. He said nine people have been taken to area hospitals, one with serious injuries and eight with minor injuries.
A storm, moving at a snail's pace, will produce heavy, flooding rain from the Ohio Valley into New England Friday through next Monday. In many areas, the storm will be responsible for producing the amount of rain typically observed during an entire month of March in just a few days.
A heavy rain-making storm will organize over the Midwest Friday before arriving in New England by the latter half of the weekend.
Many rivers and streams are already swollen or exceeding flood stage from southern Illinois to Indiana and Ohio.
In the flood weary city of Findlay, Ohio, residents are just recovering from flooding earlier this week.
"Every time it rains I get nervous," Sharon Hill told TheCourier.com in Findlay, Ohio. With more rain in the forecast for Ohio, a mutual feeling may be felt across other cities.
A heavy rain-making storm will organize over the Midwest Friday before arriving in New England by the latter half of the weekend.
Many rivers and streams are already swollen or exceeding flood stage from southern Illinois to Indiana and Ohio.
In the flood weary city of Findlay, Ohio, residents are just recovering from flooding earlier this week.
"Every time it rains I get nervous," Sharon Hill told TheCourier.com in Findlay, Ohio. With more rain in the forecast for Ohio, a mutual feeling may be felt across other cities.
© AccuWeather.com Facebook Fan Ryan S.
Flooded roadways in Lima, Ohio earlier in the week. Lima is located about 30 miles southwest of Findlay, Ohio.
Flooded roadways in Lima, Ohio earlier in the week. Lima is located about 30 miles southwest of Findlay, Ohio.
Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms Possible Through Friday
Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the threat of thunderstorms and heavy rains for Kauai and Oahu remain through Friday.
Heavy showers and thunderstorms rolled through Kauai Thursday, prompting a flood advisory and severe thunderstorm warning. The advisories were canceled Thursday afternoon. There were no reports of major flooding.
Kauai and Oahu remain under a flash flood watch through Friday afternoon. A developing storm to the west of the state has brought moist and unstable air from the tropics over the Hawaiian Islands, according to the NWS. A cold front associated with the storm is expected to bring more heavy rainfall to Kauai and Oahu Friday.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the threat of thunderstorms and heavy rains for Kauai and Oahu remain through Friday.
Heavy showers and thunderstorms rolled through Kauai Thursday, prompting a flood advisory and severe thunderstorm warning. The advisories were canceled Thursday afternoon. There were no reports of major flooding.
Kauai and Oahu remain under a flash flood watch through Friday afternoon. A developing storm to the west of the state has brought moist and unstable air from the tropics over the Hawaiian Islands, according to the NWS. A cold front associated with the storm is expected to bring more heavy rainfall to Kauai and Oahu Friday.
© Denny Simmons / Courier & Press
Most of Waterworks Road in Evansville is now underwater because of the slowly rising waters of the Ohio River. More rain this weekend may cause the river to rise above flood level in Evansville, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.
Most of Waterworks Road in Evansville is now underwater because of the slowly rising waters of the Ohio River. More rain this weekend may cause the river to rise above flood level in Evansville, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.
Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches will be possible the next two days, with the heaviest downpours tonight and Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.
Since the ground is still saturated from recent rains, runoff could cause sharp rises in area streams.
Meanwhile, the Ohio River has reached the 40-foot flood stage at Owensboro, Ky.
The river is forecast to reach the 42-foot flood stage at Evansville by Sunday.
'Widespread rains' expected to sweep across parts of the Midwest and South
Heavy rain and thunderstorms were hitting parts of the Midwest Friday, with meteorologists warning flooding was likely in parts of several states.
The complex storm system means severe storms in parts of eastern Oklahoma, and heavy rainfall from the Lower Mississippi Valley on east, The Weather Channel reported, with the possibility of some snow following on its heels over the weekend and into next week.
Central and northern New York would likely see a mix of rain and snow because of the system, The Weather Channel said, before rain would hit northern New England.
A series of systems bearing rain and snow was expected to start moving across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, the forecasters said.
'Widespread rains'
The National Weather Service issued flash flood watches for parts several states.
© Al Behrman/AP
A high water barricade blocks a public landing along the Ohio River, Thursday in Cincinnati. The parking lot for the landing normally extends past the trees surrounded by water. The Ohio River is not expected to reach flood stage.
A high water barricade blocks a public landing along the Ohio River, Thursday in Cincinnati. The parking lot for the landing normally extends past the trees surrounded by water. The Ohio River is not expected to reach flood stage.
The complex storm system means severe storms in parts of eastern Oklahoma, and heavy rainfall from the Lower Mississippi Valley on east, The Weather Channel reported, with the possibility of some snow following on its heels over the weekend and into next week.
Central and northern New York would likely see a mix of rain and snow because of the system, The Weather Channel said, before rain would hit northern New England.
A series of systems bearing rain and snow was expected to start moving across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, the forecasters said.
'Widespread rains'
The National Weather Service issued flash flood watches for parts several states.
In about 30 minutes, Monday's storm surged across Hamilton County, leaving behind about 37,000 homes without power. Chattanooga's Public Works Department was called to remove 48 downed trees and the back half of a downtown building collapsed.
By about 8 p.m. Monday, EPB officials reported that 20,000 homes were without power.
By about 8 p.m. Monday, EPB officials reported that 20,000 homes were without power.
© CNN
Severe weather in the Chattanooga area of Tennessee left buildings damaged on Monday.
Severe weather in the Chattanooga area of Tennessee left buildings damaged on Monday.
One man was killed in Tennessee after being pinned by a trailer that was lifted by strong winds, said Sgt. Chris Guess, a spokesman for the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. A woman in the home was taken to a hospital with back and leg injuries, he said.
The winds also downed trees and caused significant damage in the northern part of the county, northwest of Chattanooga, Guess said, adding that the sheriff's office could not yet confirm whether the destruction was due to a tornado.
Comment: Japanese state TV footage of the tsunami washing way inland:
Japanese Earthquake / Tsunami TV Coverage March 11, 2011