Andrea floods sections of the northeast

NEW YORK (AP):The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season smashed rainfall totals across the northeast United States and forced some streams and creeks over their banks, but sped up the Eastern Seaboard without causing major damage.

A weakened Andrea shifted away from New England yesterday morning with winds gusting up to 45 mph. The storm was expected to reach Canadian waters by Sunday.

After bringing rain, strong winds and tornadoes to Florida, Andrea lost most of its tropical characteristics late Friday into Saturday.

But it brought record rainfall for the date of June 7 for many cities and towns in the northeast.

The storm was packing winds that gusted between 20 to 30 mph, and officials warned of near gale force from New Jersey to Canada.

Cars were submerged in floodwaters on Long Island, and about 50 residents were displaced by a rising stream.

The storm was blamed for one traffic-related death in Virginia.

Late Friday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami discontinued all tropical storm warnings, but cautioned about possible coastal and localised flooding from New Jersey to New England.

Officials in the Mid-Atlantic region and northeast had prepared for Andrea Friday night.

New York City activated its flash flooding plan, and heavy rainfall resulted in flash floods, causing some sections of roadways to be closed throughout Long Island.

A number of roads were flooded in the Boston area. A flight that left Boston on Friday night headed to Palm Beach, Florida, was diverted to Newark Liberty International Airport after being struck by lightning. No one was injured.

The weather service reported that small streams and creeks in southeastern Pennsylvania were going over their banks Friday night.

New York City's airports experienced flight delays, and Connecticut reported numerous lane closures on highway, as cars spun out amid heavy rain.

The rainy weather washed out events such as NASCAR's Sprint Cup qualifying in Pennsylvania's Poconos and Major League Baseball games in Washington, New York and Boston.