ATLANTA — You will need to be weather aware as the risk for severe weather ramps up throughout the morning and into the afternoon Thursday.
Our Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologists have been warning you throughout the week about the risk for strong winds, possible tornadoes and localized flooding.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for much of the western part of the metro and areas south until 7 a.m. Those counties include: Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Haralson, Heard, Meriwether, Paulding, Polk, Troup and Upson
A Tornado Watch has just been issued until 7 am for the western and southern metro area. We'll be tracking these storms through the night on Channel 2 with updates as needed. pic.twitter.com/l578glWYgC
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) March 18, 2021
Here’s how to turn on the sound on your weather alerts to make sure you are notified.
Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns is back early from vacation and will be tracking the storms throughout the early morning.
Severe Weather Team 2 coverage on Channel 2 Action News as we track the system heading to Georgia and the risks for your neighborhood.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Severe Weather Team 2 App for alerts wherever you go]
What you need to know about the storm threats:
- Most of north Georgia is in a level 2-3 severe risk
- Most of Alabama, including the counties in our viewing area, are under a level 4 risk.
- 75+ mph wind gusts, tornadoes, hail and heavy rain are all possible
- Severe risks go up overnight into Thursday morning
Several districts are moving to virtual learning and delays for Thursday. The full list will be updated here as we get them.
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HAVE A SEVERE WEATHER PLAN
Wednesday afternoon is the time to plan ahead for the severe weather that will move through tonight and Thursday. Here is a storm checklist:
- Know your county: Check the map to make sure you know the exact location of your county and the counties surrounding you. If there is a watch or warning a few counties over, it can give you better time to prepare.
- Know your safe place for tornado warnings: What’s the safest place to hide during a tornado? The best places to consider going first would be a cellar, designated storm shelter, safe room or a basement. If none of those options are available to you, get to the lowest level of your home. Find a windowless interior room such as a bathroom, closet, inner hallway or laundry room.
- Charge your devices: Make sure you have your phone, tablet and other devices you use to get warnings charged before you head to bed.
- Have several ways to get warnings: Don’t rely on tornado sirens to alert you to a warning. The sirens are meant to warn people outside to seek shelter. Channel 2 Action News will break into programming anytime there is a tornado warning in our viewing area. Download the free Severe Weather Team 2 app for alerts sent straight to you.
[RELATED: What’s the difference between a tornado watch and warning?]
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