Maine braces for severe nor'easter that is forecast to blanket state in up to 22 inches of snow, as huge swath of US is battered by driving rain and tornadoes

Maine is braced for a huge nor'easter storm forecast to blanket the state with up to 22 inches of snow as a huge swath of the country is being battered by driving rain and tornadoes.

The severe weather has already caused massive damage in several states and is continuing to barrel across the country toward New England, bringing snow and soaking rain for the East Coast.

The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, warned many locations are likely to receive at least 18 inches amid 'heavy snow and winds.'

The storm has already caused several suspected tornadoes tear through Alabama, West Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois and Kentucky.

In Georgia, a confirmed twister damaged homes in Atlanta and left 10,000 people in the dark.

More than 200,000 homes across the country were left without power Wednesday morning according to USA Today, after high winds and driving rains downed trees and power cables across Wisconsin, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan and Kentucky.

Two people were reported to have been killed due to the bad weather. One was a young man killed in a traffic crash in Campbell, Kentucky, during Tuesday's storms.

The other was a 46-year-old homeless woman who died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after attempting to take shelter in a storm drain.

In Wellfleet, Massachusetts, video showed how huge swells were already developing as of Wednesday afternoon as the storm moves in.

In New York, high winds were causing huge delays at the city's three airports, while officials issued a special warning about 'pea-sized' hail falling in Queens until 6.30pm. 

The weather system was set to begin rolling into Maine between 4pm and 9pm, starting off as rain or sleet before developing into snow.

Gusty winds have been predicted from midnight until midday on Thursday, where gales could reach up to 55mph.

Maine officials warned the storm was expected to cause difficult travel conditions, power outages and minor coastal flooding.

'Travel is discouraged during this storm due to unfavorable driving conditions,' Pete Rogers, director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, said in a statement.

'Folks need to be prepared at home for the possibility of an extended power outage with emergency supplies, alternate power sources, and should charge their mobile devices in advance.'

In New Hampshire, the U.S. Forest Service issued an avalanche watch through Friday afternoon for parts of the White Mountains including Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet (1.92 kilometers). 

The service warned backcountry hikers and skiers of the possibility that 30 (76.2 centimeters) or more inches of snow in higher elevations could fall and create dangerous avalanche conditions. The watch does not apply to ski areas.

Meanwhile, wind gusts of up to 60 mph (about 97 kph) were expected in eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, coastal Connecticut and parts of Vermont, where flood watches had been issued. 

Heavy rains and severe thunderstorms were also expected to impact the Mid-Atlantic states and Florida.

Forecasters said heavy, wet snow would persist across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan into Thursday.

Meanwhile, the cleanup operation continued in several states. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said surveyors were looking at damage across the state.

'We will get through this, and we´ll get through it together,' he told Kentuckians during a storm update that was streamed on social media. 'So many are hurting right now, and we want you to know we will be there for you.'

In Rockdale County, Georgia, crews planned to survey damage to determine whether a tornado touched down in the area during the overnight hours, according to the weather service.

'My living room has been impaled by a tree,' Carolyn Gillman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Gillman said she rode out the storm in her bathroom and then heard rain coming into her house east of Atlanta.

'I just knew that that big `whoosh´ that I heard, that big crash I heard was the tree coming through,' Gillman told the newspaper. 'I peeked down my hallway, and sure enough, half my house is under a tree.'

In West Virginia, more than 103,000 homes and businesses remained without power on Wednesday, mostly in the southern part of the state, according to poweroutage.us. Some Appalachian Power customers may not get their service back until Thursday night, the utility said.

Schools were closed in eight of West Virginia´s 55 counties Wednesday and a state of emergency declared Tuesday by Gov. Jim Justice remained in place for several counties. 

Moderate flooding was forecast on the Ohio River, which was expected to crest nearly 6 feet (1.8 meters) above flood stage on Thursday at Wheeling.

In Crisp County, Georgia, roads were closed as emergency workers assessed damage to multiple homes and buildings after a storm early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Photos shared by the sheriff´s office showed large trees atop one home and power lines draped across yards and roads. Residents were advised to limit travel due to the damage and possible gas leaks.

'We´ve been in there all morning surveying the damage, trying to make sure everybody in the homes are OK,' Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock said in an update on Facebook.

Flooding was also a problem in parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Between two and three-and-a-half inches of rain fell in western Pennsylvania since late Monday night, leading to flooding in all corners of the region.

 A flood warning was in effect for much of the region through Wednesday afternoon due to widespread risk of standing water on roadways, as well as rising creeks, streams and rivers. 

Several homeless encampments along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Pittsburgh were abandoned due to flooding concerns.

Numerous counties in northeastern Ohio saw minor to moderate flooding after three days of nearly continuous rain soaked the area.

Flood watches and warnings remained in effect, though conditions were expected to improve by Wednesday night.