Northeast, Mid-Atlantic under tornadoes and flood risk as wildfire smoke lingers

▶ Watch Video: Canadian wildfire smoke blankets parts of U.S. as Texas floods turn deadly

More than 50 million people in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are at risk for severe weather this weekend while Canadian wildfire smoke continues to impact air quality.

A severe weather threat is in effect from the Ohio Valley through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Residents of towns and cities including New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Cleveland could see damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes and flash flooding.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect over Chicago, Ithaca, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Philadelphia and D.C. are under a tornado watch until 9:00 p.m. local time with EF-2 tornadoes possible. 

The National Weather Service said Northeast residents face the potential for scattered flash flooding from D.C. to Boston, with rounds of storms possible ahead of a cold front moving into the region. Urban areas with high runoff will be the most susceptible to flash flooding. New York City had a flood watch in effect as the city braced for thunderstorms and high wind gusts.

Air quality conditions are expected to improve in the East as the cold front moves through. 

Heavy smoke from wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota has been smothering the Midwest and Northeast this week, bringing hazardous air quality for millions of people. The blanket of smoke has affected at least 19 states. 

Tens of thousands of fans gathering for the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday could see improved smoke conditions by the time Spain vs. Argentina face off.

MLS analyst and former professional soccer player Sacha Kljestan told CBS News that if the rain doesn’t help with the air quality, he does think it might be “a concern” for the game.

Kljestan said he doesn’t see FIFA changing or postponing the final, but poor air quality could “slow the game down.”

The New Jersey Department of Health on Saturday said at least 71 individuals reported to its emergency departments and urgent care facilities with asthma or asthma-like symptoms, but the number is within the range of daily visits observed in the weeks before smoke began impacting the region.

Farther south, in Texas, conditions continue to improve after deadly, devastating flooding, although some rivers are still running high. Two feet of rain fell across central Texas in just days, and recovery efforts are ongoing. Similar storms last year led to the deaths of over 100 people. 

Texas resident Kat Stafford said the rain washed away everything inside the business where she works. 

“I’m trying to dry out the main documents, papers and stuff, financial documents,” Stafford told CBS News. 

In other places, roads are still impassable, so the Texas National Guard has taken to the skies for rescues and medical transports.