Tornado watch in effect for north Georgia

UPDATE: The first round of storms have moved out of north Georgia. Click here for live updates on the second round of storms moving in Thursday.

Severe Weather Team 2 is tracking multiple rounds of possible strong to severe storms that will move through north Georgia over the next few days.

A tornado watch has been issued for multiple counties in north Georgia until 4 a.m.

At least 17,500 people in the north Georgia area are without power due to the storms.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says heavy rain is in the forecast with the severe weather threat increasing tonight and through the overnight hours into Thursday.

Nitz says storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail. A brief tornado is also possible, especially north.

LIVE UPDATES:

3:01 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Hall County, according to an automated alert from the county’s Emergency Management Agency.

12:33 a.m.

Tornado Warning has expired for Clay County, North Carolina.

12:28 A.M.

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Chattooga and Walker counties until 1:15 a.m.

12:00 a.m.

A Tornado Warning extended for Clay County, North Carolina until 12:30 a.m.

11:52 p.m.

All Tornado Warnings have expired for Georgia.

11:45 p.m.

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Clay County, North Carolina until 12:15 a.m.

11:22 p.m.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield counties.

11:20 p.m.

A Tornado Warning has been re-issued for Gilmer, Murray, and Whitfield counties until 12:00 a.m.

11:16 p.m.

Tornado Warning has expired for all counties.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Fannin and Union County until 12:00 a.m.

11:00 p.m.

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Gilmer, Murray, Walker, and Whitfield counties until 11:15.m.

10:45 P.M.

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Gilmer County until 11:15 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

A tornado watch has been issued for Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Towns, Union, Walker, White and Whitfield counties until 12 a.m.

3:54 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect in Rabun County until 4:30 p.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 is taking you through the timeline and threats, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News throughout the evening

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Here’s what you need to know.