NYC braces for major storm that will bring 60mph winds and coastal flooding to the Big Apple - as NJ declares state of emergency after tornadoes and ALL FIFTY states are put under weather warnings

Winter storms are forecast to wreak havoc across the country bringing gusty winds and coastal flooding - and New Jersey declared a state of emergency ahead of its approach after battering the South with tornadoes.

All 50 states are under weather warnings as the National Weather Service forecasts two powerful winter storm systems will move through the Pacific Northwest, Central, Southern and Eastern U.S. this week. Blizzard conditions are forecast for Alaska and heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in Hawaii.

The system is predicted to hammer the Eastern U.S. with widespread heavy rain, strong winds and severe thunderstorms on Tuesday into early Wednesday, creating hazardous conditions. Heavy rain that could lead to flooding is predicted to spread from the Florida Panhandle all the way to southern Maine.

Forecasters said there is a particular risk spanning from northern Virginia to southern New England, where an estimated one to three inches rainfall totals combined with the highly saturated, and in some cases snow covered ground, from this weekend could lead to flooding.

The Weather Channel estimates that strong winds with accompany the heavy rain and stronger gusts between 40 to 60 mph could cause tree damage or power outages. 

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency to go into effect at 5 pm on Tuesday in anticipation of the storms.

People carry umbrellas on Times Square in New York on Tuesday as the city braces for gusty winds and heavy rain

A winter storm system is predicted to hammer the Eastern U.S. with widespread heavy rain. A pool of water began to form near the White House on Tuesday

Migrants run in the rain towards the tents at migrant housing location in New York on Tueday

Rain puddles on the ground in downtown Augusta, Georgia on Tuesday. Heavy rain that could lead to flooding is predicted to spread from the Florida Panhandle all the way to southern Maine

A man skies his way through the snow covered Minute Man National Historical Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts on Tuesday

A firetruck is lifted by tow truck operators following a crash on Tuesday in Belleville, Illinois

A powerful winter storm is slated to bring major flooding and blizzard conditions to the Southeast and East Coast this week

'Beginning tomorrow morning and continuing through Wednesday morning, we are expecting one to four inches of heavy rain, strong winds, and potential inland and coastal flooding,' said Murphy

'This storm will exacerbate the effects of the inclement conditions we experienced in December and this past weekend and may precede another storm Friday night. As always, I urge all New Jerseyans – including residents in our coastal and riverine communities – to follow all safety protocols and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.'

Forecasters noted a concern that a low level jet stream will be in place just ahead of the cold front as it approaches the East Coast, with southerly winds 75 to 100 mph just a few thousand feet above the surface. This will likely result in widespread 30-50 mph winds at the surface, especially near the coast and for elevated areas where gusts will likely exceed 50 mph.

AccuWeather meteorologist predict the storm will pull warm air with it from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean that could cause a rapid thaw of snow on the ground in the Northeast.

'Initially, the storm will bring a burst of heavy snow and/or a period of ice or wintry mix across parts of the central Appalachians and New England for a time on Tuesday,' said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.

'But, the most notable impact from the upcoming storm will be high winds and flooding rainfall.'

The forecasted flooding is could be comparable to the deadly flooding caused by the snowmelt of the blizzard of 1996.

The New York City Emergency Management Department issued a travel advisory from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning due to the storm.

A park floods due to heavy rainfall in Greenville, South Carolina on Tuesday

A tornado touched down in Florida Tuesday morning. The Storm Prediction Center issued a tornado watch for parts of southeastern Alabama, southwestern Georgia and North Florida that is in effect until 2 pm on Tuesday

A tornado caused damage to Florida property on Tuesday. As of Tuesday morning, 17 damaging wind reports stretched from eastern Texas to far western Florida, according to the Storm Predication Center

'More inclement weather is expected to hit New York City tomorrow night, bringing with it heavy rains, strong winds, and the potential for flooding,' said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

'Our city government is prepared to respond to whatever comes our way, but residents should also take the necessary precautions to stay safe and protect their belongings.'

A flood watch is in effect citywide from 6 pm on Tuesday to 12 pm. on Wednesday. A high wind warning is in effect for Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island from 6 pm on Tuesday to 6 am on Wednesday, and a wind advisory is in effect for the Bronx and Manhattan at the same time.

Severe thunderstorms are predicted across northern Florida to the coastal plain of the Carolinas. 

As of Tuesday morning, 17 damaging wind reports stretched from eastern Texas to far western Florida, according to the Storm Predication Center.

The Storm Prediction Center issued a tornado watch from northeast Florida into eastern Georgia, much of South Carolina and south-central North Carolina that is in effect until 6 pm on Tuesday. Separately, there is a tornado watch for central Florida in effect until 9 pm.

They said there is a risk for a few strong tornadoes and potentially destructive wind gusts reaching 75 mph. 

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched the ground in in Walton County, Florida.

The Bay County Sheriff's Office said multiple tornados have touched down, there have been numerous reports of damage and they have rescued people out of structures.

Vehicles drive slowly in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday. Forecasters said a wintery mix will northeastward from the southern and central Plains to the Great Lakes region into Tuesday

Snow plows clear the street as snow falls in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday,

A semi-truck is seen toppled over on the side of a road in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday

Snow covered streets in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday. Forecasts there will be snow and strong winds into the Midwest, Great Lakes and parts of the Northeast

Police and a tow truck respond to an accident on I480 in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday

A car in Vega, Texas was stranded on Monday amid whiteout snow conditions

AccuWeather forecasters said a wintery mix will northeastward from the southern and central Plains to the Great Lakes region into Tuesday. Snow is also predicted to move over the central Appalachians and interior Northeast.

Strong winds of 20 to 40 mph with gusts of 40 to 60 mph are predicted for the Central and Eastern states into Tuesday night. 

A blizzard warning was in place for the Oklahoma Panhandle as well as the western and northern Texas Panhandle through 6 am on Tuesday, reported My San Antonio. 

The warning said, 'Snowfall accumulations of one to eight inches are expected along with north winds gusting as high as 65 mph, resulting in visibility below a quarter of a mile at time in whiteout conditions.'

Video shows a stranded car in Vega, Texas, on Monday amid the whiteout conditions. 

The Weather Channel forecasts there will be snow and strong winds into the Midwest, Great Lakes and parts of the Northeast. They said there has already been blizzard conditions to portions of the Plains.