Heavy rain from the former Tropical Storm Lee moved northeast into the Appalachian Mountain states on Tuesday, spreading the threat of flooding as far as the northeastern United States after drenching the southern part of the country, spawning tornadoes, sweeping several people away, and knocking out power to thousands. More rain was expected in parts of Tennessee that already saw new precipitation records on Monday. Flood watches were in effect from northeastern Alabama and Tennessee through West Virginia to northern New York state, which was already soaked by last week's Hurricane Irene. Rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 centimeters, with isolated areas up to 25 centimeters, were possible as heavy rain spreads into the central Appalachians, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Rain kept falling in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which went from its driest-ever month in August to a record one-day deluge of 20.4 centimeters by Monday afternoon. By dawn Tuesday, 25 centimeters had fallen in the state's fourth-biggest city. Several roads were flooded, and the wet ground meant that even modest winds were downing trees. To the south, rain in Alabama flooded several Birmingham roads, and as many as 200,000 people lost electricity across the state as the storm passed. The storm caused dangerous waters, killing at least two people in Alabama and Mississippi. To the east, officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia said a lightning strike sent about 22 soldiers to the hospital on Monday. Areas of Louisiana and Mississippi were emerging from the worst of Tropical Storm Lee on Tuesday. Lee's center came ashore Sunday in Louisiana, dropping up to 30 centimeters of rain in parts of New Orleans and other areas. Despite some street flooding, officials said the city's 24-pump flood-control system was performing well.
