Heavy storms are now reaching the East Coast as a nor'easter heads toward New England ahead of the holiday travel period for Memorial Day weekend.

A large area of severe thunderstorms is forecast into Tuesday night and will overlap areas in the Ohio, Tennessee and middle Mississippi valleys that were hit by deadly and damaging storms, forecasters say.

At least 31 million people are at risk for severe storms from central Texas to Iowa on Monday, with hazards including large hail, damaging winds and several possibly strong tornadoes.

This after an estimated 21 tornadoes were reported on May 18. Tornadoes damaged homes just before 7 p.m. local time at Grinnell, along Interstate 70 in northeast Kansas, and just before midnight in the area of Plevna in south-central Kansas, the weather service said. No injuries were reported.

Heavy downpours and hail covered Franklin as strong storms blew through Middle Tennessee, bringing severe weather and the possibility of tornadoes. Street cameras in Franklin showed heavy rainfall and large hail falling along Downs Boulevard and Highway 96 at about 4:30 p.m.

Heavy rainfall and storms have been battering southern France since Monday. The rains have caused widespread damage across the region, flooding streets and causing power and water outages. At least three people have died in the flooding with several hundred emergency rescuers being deployed to the region.

More severe weather is forecast to move into the commonwealth May 20, including in some of the areas hit hardest by recent tornadoes.

University of Maryland, College Park officials said possible severe weather will delay the outdoor commencement ceremony.