Dangerous severe storms are ongoing in the South and have prompted the issuance of a particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch for parts of Georgia, north Florida and southeast Alabama into this evening.
A rare “high risk” severe weather outlook has also been issued for today by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in parts of south Georgia and northern Florida, where supercell thunderstorms could spawn strong and long-track tornadoes. Cities in this danger zone include Albany, Savannah and Valdosta in Georgia, along with Tallahassee, Tampa and Jacksonville in Florida.
Outside that high risk area, damaging winds, very large hail and tornadoes may impact other parts of Georgia and Florida, along with Alabama and the Carolinas.
Storm Prediction Center Outlook
A “high risk” has been issued for parts of south Georgia, north Florida and southeast Alabama. Significant severe weather is possible outside that area in other parts of the South (slight, enhanced, moderate areas).
This is the first high risk severe weather outlook to be issued by SPC since June 3, 2014, which gives an idea of how unusual they are.
Sunday afternoon, damage from a possible tornado was reported in Opelika, Alabama. A tornado emergency was issued for the Albany, Georgia, area after radar showed a debris signature as the storm passed near the city.
Lots of gas leaks in the Albany area. Avoid the area! @spann @NWSAtlanta @BradNitzWSB @KathrynProciv @ErinThomasWx #gawx pic.twitter.com/QjmR7XCq4z
— The Sirens Project (@sirensproject) January 22, 2017
A tornado emergency was also issued for southern Wilcox County, Georgia, potentially from the same tornado (or tornadoes) that impacted the Albany area.
Saturday morning-Sunday morning, a preliminary 30 reports of tornadoes were tallied up from Louisiana to southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and southern Georgia, according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.
A deadly EF3 tornado touched down in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, early Saturday, which caused considerable damage and killed four people.
Early Sunday morning, at least 12 people were killed by a likely tornado or multiple tornadoes in southern Georgia. More details are at the link below.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued the following severe weather watches:
- A particularly dangerous situation tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m. EST for parts of southeast Georgia and north Florida. This watch area includes Gainesville and Jacksonville in Florida.
- A particularly dangerous situation tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. EST for portions of southeast Georgia and central and southern South Carolina. This watch area includes Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.
- A particularly dangerous situation tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. EST for parts of central Florida. This watch area includes Orlando, Melbourne, Sarasota and Tampa.
Current Radar, Watches and Warnings
Here is our latest forecast timeline.
Into Sunday Night
- Severe storms slide east Sunday afternoon and evening from parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida to the Carolinas.
- Damaging straight-line winds, tornadoes and large hail are all threats.
- Strong and long-track tornadoes are most likely to occur in south Georgia and north Florida.
- Heavy rain and local flash flooding will also be concerns in some areas.
- Cities: Atlanta | Birmingham, Alabama | Tallahassee, Florida | Jacksonville | Orlando | Tampa | Charleston
Have at least two ways to get alerts that will wake you up if severe weather comes your way.
Severe Forecast into Sunday Night
Areas in red have the highest chance of severe thunderstorms. Areas in orange are expected to see thunderstorms, not necessarily reaching severe criteria.
Severe Weather Recap Friday Night-Sunday Early Morning
Overnight Friday into early Saturday, golf ball-sized hail was reported in Orange, Texas, near Roxie, Mississippi, and near Pinebur, Mississippi. Friday night, a wind gust of up to 70 mph was estimated in Beaumont, Texas.
Saturday early morning, an EF3 tornado struck the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, area, resulting in four deaths.
Middle Georgia saw numerous reports of tornadoes during the day on Saturday with damage reported.
Tornado reports Saturday 4 a.m. EST – Sunday 4 a.m. EST. Fatality locations are marked in south Georgia and near Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Saturday afternoon, a dozen homes were damaged in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and one man was sucked from his house in an apparent tornado, while another was injured in a mobile home as it was struck by a tornado.
12 deaths are being blamed on a likely tornado (or tornadoes) that struck Brooks County, Berrien County and Cook County in Georgia early Sunday morning.
Here’s an update:
https://weather.com/news/news/deadly-severe-storms-tornadoes-south-state-by-state-impacts
Stay safe <3