Tornado Watch Issued As Storms, Severe Weather Rolls Into Georgia

ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta metro and several counties in northern Georgia are under a tornado watch as severe storms move through the area. The watch includes portions of eastern Alabama and southern Tennessee, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado watch for Georgia counties is in effect until 9 p.m.

A dangerous storm system is ripping across the southern states Saturday, leaving death and damage in its wake. So far, the storm has claimed seven lives and more than 247,000 customers between Texas and Kentucky were left without power.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for all of metro Atlanta. The warning expires at 6:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Services. Other parts of the state including Bartow and Paulding counties were under a warning until 5 p.m.

The level 3 risk for severe storms has been expanded and now includes Northwest Georgia, western portions of Atlanta and south central Georgia. The National Weather Service previously had most of metro Atlanta under a Level 2 threat of severe weather.

The state’s far western counties also are under a Level 3 risk. That includes parts of Floyd, Polk, Haralson, Carroll, Heard, Troup, Coweta and Meriwether counties.

A Level 3 threat means heavy rain, damaging thunderstorm winds and isolated tornadoes are likely.

Heavy rains should reach the Atlanta area between 5 and 8 p.m. The threat for severe weather is expected to end about 10 p.m. and be mostly out of the state by 11 p.m.

Also, high winds should be expected all day. The Atlanta metro and surrounding counties are under a wind advisory until 10 p.m. Saturday.