New York: The US National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes touched down on the American east coast on Wednesday, as ferocious wind, rain and hail storms hit New York and Connecticut states.

The weather service said the tornadoes had estimated peak winds of 157 kilometres per hour and 177 km/h.

The storms downed scores of trees and power lines. More than 120,000 homes and businesses lost electricity in Connecticut and 157,000 in New York.