ATLANTA -- Here is the full text of the statement from Atlanta city officials.

Just after 9:30 p.m. severe weather damaged an area encompassing Ralph McGill to Edgewood; Spring through Piedmont Avenue and Centennial Olympic Parkway to Moreland Avenue resulting in power outages in other nearby neighborhoods.

Shortly after the storm hit, Atlanta Fire and Rescue and the Atlanta Police Department responded setting up a Unified Command Center at Fire Station 4 on the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Fort Street.

Fire and Rescue Divisions and Police Units responded to the initial injured and treated injured pedestrians and transported approximately 20 persons to Grady Hospital. They are currently accessing several damaged structures including Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill Lofts and evacuating Antoine Graves High Rise due to damage to the building. The life safety assessment continues throughout the night. Police are assisting with traffic control and maintaining public safety in affected areas. APD assisted the Dome and the many visitors attending the SEC Championships. Calls are being handled routinely in all zones. APD is assisting Fire with evacuations and assessing options for the St Patrick's Day Parade which was originally scheduled for downtown at 11:30am.

The Parks and Public Works Departments have assessed tree and debris damage and crews will work to clean up the streets and parks. 37 trees are estimated to be down in public rights-of-way.

The Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Operations Center has been activated and will remain active throughout the night. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin thanks the entire city team and our neighbors with DeKalb Fire and Police, GA DOT HERO , GA State Patrol, Rockdale County Sheriff's Dept, MARTA Police and transit, Clayton, Fulton and Cobb Fire and Rescue Depts. for their prompt response and commitment to providing emergency services.

"I strongly urge everyone to stay away from the downtown area throughout the night and in the impacted areas until the emergency services give the all clear sign. "It is imperative that people stay out of the area and let public safety personnel evacuate people and make the area safe."

At this time, less than a dozen injuries have been reported. Extensive damage has been reported to a number of landmark buildings in downtown, including the Omni Hotel, Georgia World Congress Center, CNN Building, the Georgia Dome and Phillips Arena and homes and businesses in nearby neighborhoods.