Storms knock out power to hundreds of thousands

• National Weather Service reports possible tornado touchdowns in the Northeast
• Storms were expected to reach New York metro area Thursday evening
• More than 200,000 customers lose power in Ohio and Pennsylvania due to severe storms

(CNN) -- A powerful storm system battered the Northeast Thursday afternoon, with reports of high winds, possible tornadoes and thousands of customers without electricity, the National Weather Service said.

Severe thunderstorms with wind gusts that may exceed 80 mph were heading toward metropolitan New York City and expected to arrive Thursday night.

The weather service had received reports of a possible tornadoes touching down in Elmira, New York, and Brookville, Pennsylvania.

Emergency managers in Bromme County, New York, have reported people trapped inside a home due to downed trees in the town of Vestal.

Strong storms also caused damage in Binghamton, New York, but the weather service said no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

The four major power companies in Ohio reported that more than 65,000 customers were without power, and nearly 145,000 people in western Pennsylvania have been affected by damage or have lost power.

CNN's Julie Cannold and Dominique Dodley contributed to this report.