Storms march on to the East

Violent storms wallop the East Coast on the heels of Friday’s deadly tornado in Oklahoma, bringing heavy rain, high winds and hail that tore up trees, knocked out power and delayed flights. A tornado also touched down in South Carolina.

PORTLAND, Maine — Damaging winds flattened trees and utility wires and knocked out power in parts of northern New England on Sunday, flights were delayed in New York City and a tornado touched down in South Carolina as the East Coast weathered the remnants of violent storms that claimed 13 lives in Oklahoma.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms, high winds and hail moved through sections of the Northeast on Sunday afternoon, knocking out power to more than 40,000 in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

The National Weather Service issued a rare tornado warning as a line of thunderstorms raced through New Hampshire into western Maine.

The weather service said a tornado warning was issued as radar indicated a possible tornado moving from Kingfield, Maine, to Bingham, Maine.

The tornado was not immediately confirmed.

In northwestern South Carolina, a tornado knocked a home off its foundation and blew part of the roof off, said Taylor Jones, director of emergency management for Anderson County.

Some trees were blown down and there was heavy rain, but no widespread damage. No

“It was an isolated incident,” Jones said.

The weather service said thunderstorms and winds in excess of 60 mph in Vermont produced 1inch-diameter hail and knocked down numerous trees and wires.

In northern Maine, radar picked up a line of thunderstorms capable of producing quarter-sized hail and winds stronger than 70 mph.

Meanwhile, residents in Oklahoma cleaned up after the storms there killed 13 people, including three storm chasers.