Local

Flooding, damage across Georgia after strong storms

ATLANTA — UPDATE: 

7:55 p.m. Tornado watch issued for parts of Alabama, including Randolph County. The watch was issued as a particularly dangerous situation.

3:00 p.m. Tornado watch expires for Newton, Henry, Spalding, Pike, Lamar, Upson, Butts, Jasper and Putnam counties.

2:00 p.m.: Tornado watch still in effect for a few counties until 3:00 p.m., but Severe Weather Team 2 says the severe weather threat is over for metro Atlanta.

1:12 p.m.: Newton, Henry, Spalding, Pike, Lamar, Upson, Butts, Jasper and Putnam counties are currently under a tornado watch.

12:47 p.m.: Flood warnings for Snapfinger Creek in DeKalb County and Pew Creek in Gwinnett County.

12:09 p.m.: Tornado warning for Lamar County canceled. Lamar County now under tornado watch.

12:00 p.m.: Tornado warning issued for Lamar County until 12:30 p.m.

11:51 a.m.: Due to the severe weather, organizers of the March for Social Justice and Women have delayed the start of Saturday’s march by 30 minutes, to 1:30 p.m.

11:50 a.m.: Tornado warnings for Upson, Meriwether and Talbot counties have ended.

11:28 a.m.: A tornado warning was issued until noon for parts of Upson, Meriwether and Talbot counties, Channel 2 said.

11:05 a.m.: In Troup County, exit 13 ramp onto I-85 is blocked because of trees across the road.

10:52 a.m.: New severe thunderstorm warning until 11:30 a.m. for Upson County.

10:32 a.m.: Heavy flooding in various locations throughout Peachtree City. Police report Georgian Park at the entrance to Kedron Village is closed.

9:30 a.m.: Thunderstorms will continue to develop from Saturday night into Sunday morning.

9:28: Some counties could see damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.

9:26 a.m.: Randolph, Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, Butts, Upson, Spalding counties are now under a tornado watch until 3 p.m.

9:17 a.m.: Trees down in Troup County on Grayhill Road at Bartley Road, Hamilton Road at Sam Walker Drive and on Hog Mountain Road.

9:03 a.m.: Tornado watch extended for Troup, Spalding, Meriwether, south Coweta counties through 3 p.m. on Saturday.

9:02 a.m.: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Troup County until 9:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m.: Tornado warning has expired for Troup County.

8:47 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued for Troup County until 9 a.m.

Locations impacted include LaGrange, West Point, Piedmont Heights, Mountville, Cannonville, Big Springs, Louise, Baughs Crossroads, Smiths Crossroad and Long Cane.

Stay with Channel 2 Action News throughout the day as our Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologists track the storms. 

HAPPENING NOW: Tornado warning for Meriwether, Upson and Talbo...

UPDATE: The tornado warning for Lamar County has expired. The county is now under a tornado watch. _________ Tornado Watch for parts of metro Atlanta: Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologists Brad Nitz and Brian Monahan, WSB are tracking heavy rain and isolated strong storms impacting multiple counties on Channel 2 Action News. http://2wsb.tv/2iWyf90

Posted by WSB-TV on Saturday, January 21, 2017

ORIGINAL STORY: Severe storms are possible from Louisiana to Georgia overnight Friday into Saturday.

Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said the rain will be closing in on Atlanta by 8 a.m.

"The areas with the greatest risk for severe weather are LaGrange to Greenville to Thomaston," Monahan said.

Portions of Louisiana and Mississippi have the greatest chance of strong storms initially, with the risk area spreading eastward into Alabama and Georgia on Saturday.

A tornado watch was issued for Randolph County, Alabama, until 11 a.m. central time.

Monahan said heavy rains, strong winds and isolated tornadoes are possible. That's similar to the forecast from Thursday, when twisters struck southern Mississippi and eastern Alabama, forecasters said.

One tornado damaged homes and toppled trees in Smith and Simpson counties in Mississippi. Another one damaged boat houses and other structures near Lake Logan Martin east of Birmingham.

SEVERE WEATHER RISK: A tornado watch is in effect for Randolph County, AL and this likely will be expanded east later...

Posted by Brian Monahan, WSB on Saturday, January 21, 2017