A potent storm that already plunged parts of California underwater has started to deal a serious blow to the eastern half of the US with flooding rain, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, snow and ice all expected.

Much of the eastern half of the United States is bracing for severe weather this weekend, with “life-threatening” flash flooding possible in parts of the Southeast and significant snow set to blanket the Upper Midwest through to New England.

Much of the eastern U.S. braced for a renewed round of harsh, soggy weather on Saturday, while snowstorms were predicted in the Northeast and heavy winds brought the threat of tornadoes to the Mississippi Valley.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings for life-threatening flash flooding in the Southeast and heavy snowfall from the Upper Midwest to New England.