A tornado watch covers 29 counties across southeast and east central Georgia this morning. In Jenkins and Screven counties, a severe thunderstorm warning is active right now, and forecasters say a tornado warning could follow at any moment.
What’s Happening: The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch, which runs until 1 p.m. today. The watch covers a wide stretch of southeast Georgia, from the coast inland. A severe thunderstorm warning for Jenkins and Screven counties expires at 10:15 a.m.
What’s Important: Forecasters detected increased rotation in storms currently moving east at 55 mph. Wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible. The National Weather Service warns that wind damage can arrive before rain or lightning, meaning residents should not wait for thunder before taking shelter.
How This Affects Real People: Anyone in the watch or warning area should go inside a sturdy building now and stay away from windows. If a tornado is spotted, move to a closet, bathroom, or small interior room.
The Path Forward: The tornado watch expires at 1 p.m. A wind advisory covering much of the rest of Georgia continues until 8 p.m., with gusts up to 35 mph expected through the evening.
Georgia counties under Tornado Watch:
Southeast Georgia: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Ware, Wayne
East central Georgia: Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond
Wind Advisory: A separate wind advisory covers a large portion of north, central, and west Georgia until 8 p.m. North winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are forecast. Drivers of high-profile vehicles should use extra caution.
