Atlanta, Georgia – Nearly 10 million people across Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina are under a severe thunderstorm watch through 9 p.m. Saturday, with damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes possible across the region.
According to the US National Weather Service in Peachtree City, the greatest risks include scattered wind gusts up to 75 mph, quarter-sized hail, and a couple of possible tornadoes, especially near metro Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Gainesville.
In Georgia, areas from LaGrange to Athens and as far north as Dalton could experience downed trees, power outages, and dangerous driving conditions. The storm threat extends along I-75, I-85, and I-20 corridors, affecting weekend travel and outdoor events. Emergency officials urge residents to secure outdoor items and monitor weather alerts closely.
Schools and hospitals in the watch zone—spanning 2,216 schools and 160 hospitals—should be prepared for potential lightning strikes and brief outages. Residents in areas like Macon and Milledgeville should remain indoors during peak storm activity and avoid flooded roads.
The watch remains in effect until 9 p.m. EDT. More warnings or advisories could be issued as storms intensify into the evening.
