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Tornado destroys homes in Georgia, at least 23 people killed in Alabama

ATLANTA — At least 23 people have died after a powerful tornado ripped through Alabama, leaving behind a path of destruction in Georgia.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Katie Walls traveled to Talbot County where the tornado's powerful winds destroyed many homes, apartments and snapped trees in half.

Three people are being treated for injuries, the EMS director in Talbot County told Channel 2's Michael Seiden.

Photos sent to the Channel 2 Action News newsroom show debris from strong wind gusts and heavy rain knocking out power lines.

[PHOTOS: Widespread damage in Talbot County after tornado rips through]

Severe Weather Team 2 chief meteorologist Glenn Burns broke into programming in the afternoon when tornado warnings were issued for Putnam, Greene and Upson counties.

We're LIVE in the areas hardest hit by the storms talking with people affected and learning about the clean up ahead - on Channel 2 Action News This Morning starting at 4:30 a.m.

In a brief few seconds peoples' lives were turned upside side. This is some of the damage near Perry. No reports of injuries or fatalities in Georgia yet.

Posted by Glenn Burns on Sunday, March 3, 2019

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LIVE UPDATES

10:00 p.m.

The Red Cross has opened a shelter in Talbot County to assist people impacted by the storm.

4:43 p.m 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for SE Meriwether, SW Pike and NW Upson counties.

3:35 p.m.

Tornado warnings are continuing further south in Macon and Warner Robbins and parts of Alabama.

2:56 p.m.

2:39 p.m.

Burns is strong wind gusts near 40 mph moving through Haralson and Carroll counties.

2:26 p.m.

One to two inches of rain is possible before the line of heavy rain ends, according to Burns.

2:22 p.m.

There are no tornado warnings in the Channel 2 viewing area, but there are several further south in Georgia and Alabama.

2:00 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for parts of Upson, Talbot, Taylor and Harris counties until 2:45 p.m..

1:35 p.m.

A strong storm is moving in Upson County right now.

1:17 p.m.

The first wave of storms are starting to move through Atlanta. Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Eboni Deon reports heavy rain and thunder at our midtown studios.

12:27 P.M.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of south metro Atlanta and central Georgia until 8 p.m. and there is a watch also in effect for Randolph County, Alabama until 6 p.m:

11:48 a.m.

The line of storms is making its way across Alabama. Light rain is beginning to fall in parts of Georgia.

AFTER THE STORMS

The storms are expected to move into northwest Georgia before noon and will last through the evening around 6 p.m.

Deon said the heavy rain with the system will bring an additional 1-2 inches to southern areas.

Behind the storms, expect temperatures to drop dramatically. Afternoon highs will not make it out of the lower to mid-40s through midweek.

The next chance of rain arrives Friday and temps will warm up to near normal highs in the lower 60s by then.