Tallahassee, FL – A tornado watch remains in effect for parts of the Florida Panhandle and southwest Georgia until 7 a.m. EST (6 a.m. CST) Wednesday as severe storms move through the region.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tallahassee, the tornado watch includes nine counties in Florida and ten counties in Georgia. Affected Florida counties include Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla. In Georgia, the watch covers Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, and Terrell counties.
Residents in these areas should remain alert for rapidly changing conditions, as thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall continue to develop. The NWS advises that people in mobile homes or weak structures seek sturdy shelter if warnings are issued.
Additionally, a tornado watch is in effect for adjacent coastal waters, including Apalachee Bay and waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola and the Okaloosa-Walton County line.
Local emergency management urges residents to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and to be prepared to take immediate action if a tornado warning is issued. Motorists should use caution due to heavy rain and possible debris on roads.
The severe weather threat is expected to diminish after 7 a.m. as the storm system moves eastward.
