Atlanta, Georgia – A dangerous severe weather setup is threatening more than 15 million people across the Southeast today, with the risk of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds lasting through 8 p.m. Friday.
According to the National Weather Service, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for large parts of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and eastern Alabama. The strongest storms could bring wind gusts up to 70 mph and isolated tornadoes, especially along the I-20 and I-85 corridors.
Cities under the watch include Atlanta, Columbia, Charlotte, Augusta, Macon, Greenville, and Columbus. The threat zone covers major population centers, over 3,400 schools, and hundreds of hospitals. Large hail up to ping-pong-ball size is also possible in some areas.
Residents across the region should charge mobile devices, monitor alerts, and stay indoors during active storms. Avoid travel on interstates where sudden downbursts or debris could create dangerous driving conditions.
This is one of the most widespread severe weather alerts for the Southeast so far this spring. The watch is scheduled to expire at 8 p.m., but more warnings may follow depending on storm development.
