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Atlanta weather | Rain, storms expected to pummel metro Atlanta

ATLANTA — Right now Channel 2 Action News and Severe Weather Team 2 are tracking minute-by-minute updates on the destructive storms pounding the Midwest and the risk for severe weather in metro Atlanta.

Our team of meteorologists in Severe Weather Team 2 says conditions could cause storms to produce tornadoes, damaging winds and lightning. Today the metro area may see some isolated showers, but they will not have the biggest impact until tonight.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Catoosa, Dade, Murray, Walker and Whitfield counties until 1 a.m. Tuesday.

A flood watch goes into effect Monday night through Wednesday night. Three to five inches of rain is possible, which could create flooding issues in some areas.

The powerful storm system headed for metro Atlanta rumbled through the central and southern United States on Sunday, spawning several tornadoes, including one that killed two people in a small northeastern Oklahoma city and another that carved a path of destruction through several northern suburbs of Little Rock, Ark. Officials say the number of people killed in tornadoes is up to 17.

Channel 2 Action News obtained new video from overnight of cars twisted and buildings damaged. Rescue crews worked  in the dark to get to the injured, authorities said. The tornado was so strong, it snapped trees as it blew through.

As for the metro Atlanta area, the main weather event will come later Monday and into Tuesday where we can expect several inches of rain.

You can stay up to date with hour by hour forecasts and watch our newscasts live with our Severe Weather Team 2 iPad app. You can also download our Severe Weather Team 2 Weather Radio app for your iPhone.

Stay with Channel 2 Action News for continuing coverage from Severe Weather Team 2.