BLOG: EF-1 tornado confirmed in Henry County, severe storms leave damage across metro Atlanta
Severe storms across metro Atlanta
An afternoon of severe storms slams metro Atlanta with heavy rain, plenty of damaging winds, and even one confirmed tornado. A look at the damage left behind and the clean-up that's already underway.
ATLANTA - A severe line of storms rolled through metro Atlanta and North Georgia early Monday afternoon. Several tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued. The rain is expected to clear out of the area by approximately 4 p.m.
8 P.M. UPDATE | One survey team has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in north central Henry County. A second survey team from the National Weather Service is checking out Newnan in Coweta County.
Tree on home in Jonesboro area
Many trees have fallen around the metro Atlanta area, including one on this house in the Jonesboro area. This is breaking news.
So far, nothing major has been confirmed in that area. Results from another round of surveys are expected Tuesday.
PHOTOS: Metro Atlanta severe weather damage, trees tumble across Georgia
2:30 P.M. UPDATE | Tornado Warning issued for Jeffersonville and Huber areas in the south Georgia area until 2:45 p.m. EDT by National Weather Service. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 7 p.m. for 79 counties in central Georgia.
2:15 P.M. UPDATE | FOX 5 Atlanta is checking out a tree that fell on a home in the Jonesboro area.
2 P.M. UPDATE | FOX 5 Atlanta has started to receive reports of damage across the metro area. If you have experienced damage in your area, send your photos/video (when it is safe) to newstipsatlanta@fox.com.
1:45 P.M. UPDATE | A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in place until 2:15 p.m. for Oconee, Rockdale, Clarke, Butts, Walton and Newton counties. In Atlanta, it is 63 degrees and humidity is at 87%.
1:35 P.M. UPDATE | Multiple reports of trees down in Carroll County. Trees have reportedly fallen on homes on Cypress Circle and mobile homes on Memory Springs Drive. FOX 5 Atlanta is sending a crew to the area. If you have experienced damage in your area, send your photos/video (when it is safe) to newstipsatlanta@fox.com.
1:30 P.M. UPDATE | Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Conyers, Monroe and Covington until 2:15 p.m.
More than 7K Georgia Power customers without power at this time. Click here for outage map.
Reports of hail and minor damage coming in to FOX 5 Atlanta. If you have experienced damage in your area, send your photos/video (when it is safe) to newstipsatlanta@fox.com.
The University of Georgia in Athens also sent out a warning.
1:25 P.M. UPDATE | Tornado Warning for Conyers, Covington and Oxford until 1:45 p.m.
1:15 P.M. UPDATE | New Tornado Warning issued for Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties until 1:45 p.m.
1:07 P.M. UPDATE | The Severe Thunderstorm Warning is scheduled to expire at 1:30 p.m. for Butts, Clayton, Fayette, Henry, Newton, Rockdale and Spalding counties. There are no active tornado warnings at this time.
1 P.M. UPDATE | Severe Thunderstorm Warning now issued for DeKalb County until 1:15 p.m. Could be extended.
12:59 P.M. UPDATE | Multiple lightning strikes being reported in Upson County area.
12:52 P.M. UPDATE | Tornado Warnings have been canceled. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in place for several areas, including Henry, Spalding, Fayette, Clayton, Rockdale, Butts, and Newton until 1:30 p.m. A ground stop has been put into place for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
12:47 P.M. UPDATE | Tornado Warning including Peachtree City, Stockbridge and McDonough.
12:37 P.M. UPDATE | Tornado warning issued for Coweta, Fayette and Clayton counties until 1 p.m. Take cover if you are in that area.
12:29 P.M. UPDATE | There are three Severe Thunderstorm Warnings currently in effect. They include Coweta County, Carroll County, Fulton County, Douglas County, Fayette County and Meriwether County. The storms are moving very quickly through North Georgia.
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12:05 P.M. UPDATE | A Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued until 12:45 p.m. southern Carroll County, southwestern Douglas County, northwestern Coweta County, and southwestern Fulton County.
Strong storms moving into North Georgia
Strong and potentially severe storms are moving into North Georgia this afternoon.
11:30 A.M. UPDATE | A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for multiple counties until 7 p.m. National Weather Service says there is a significant threat to property or life in Rockdale County, Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, Coweta County, Forsyth County, Clayton County, Spalding County, Meriwether County, Cobb County, White County, Douglas County, Newton County, Upson County, Oconee County, Fulton County, Walton County, Clarke County, Hall County, Fayette County, Heard County, Butts County, Lamar County.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until 6 p.m. for Dougherty and Clay counties.
ORIGINAL STORY
North and central Georgia could see a round of severe weather today, with the highest storm chances expected between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. as a cold front moves through the state. The storms will produce heavy rain and lightning. Damaging winds, hail and even tornadoes are a possibility.
What we know:
Forecasters say the strongest storms are likely to develop along and south of the Interstate 20 corridor, where damaging winds remain the primary threat.
The storms will be coming from Mississippi, Alabama and the west. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 1 p.m. for Dade, Walker, Catoosa and Chattooga counties in northwest Georgia for the potential of damaging winds with these storms.
Once the front clears the area later this afternoon, skies will begin to clear and temperatures will drop to the seasonable 40s overnight.
What's next:
Looking ahead, the weather takes a sharp turn. After today’s cooldown, temperatures will rise steadily, with near-record highs expected Thursday through Saturday. Highs could reach the upper 80s to near 90, with morning lows in the 60s.
This week has also brought historic pollen levels to the region. Today’s rain and storms may offer some brief relief, but warmer, drier conditions could bring a quick return of spring allergens.