Storms hit the U.S. Northeast leaving at least one person dead and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of residents. Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpour are expected to hit the U.S. Midwest on Friday and into New York City and the Northeast, forecasters said.

National Weather Service issued thunderstorm warnings in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas and several other points that lie in between.

In Pennsylvania, a woman died in her car, which was crushed under a tree, reported the CNN.

"The risk for widespread damaging winds will increase from midday to mid-afternoon from Indiana and Ohio across Pennsylvania, southeast New York, into western Massachusetts and Connecticut," the U.S. Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, said in a severe weather outlook.

The weather service has warned of possible tornadoes ripping through Elmira, New York and Brookville, Pennsylvania.

Brooklyn
A storm cloud begins to dump rain as it passes over the Brooklyn borough of New York on July 26, 2012 REUTERS
Elmira
A house is damaged by a falling tree after the town was hit by a tornado in Elmira on July 26, 2012 REUTERS
Manhattan
Commuters dodge high wind and heavy rain during a thunderstorm in midtown Manhattan on July 18, 2012 REUTERS
Elmira
Downed power lines and trees are pictured on a street in Elmira on July 26, 2012 REUTERS
Manhattan
Commuters take cover under an umbrella from high winds and heavy rain during a thunderstorm in midtown Manhattan, in New York on July 18, 2012 REUTERS
Elmira
Flattened street signs are pictured after they were hit by a tornado in Elmira on July 26, 2012 REUTERS
New York Storm Pennsylvania New Jersey