Atlanta tornado warning followed by strong winds, heavy flooding

ATLANTA — Heavy wind, rain and storms are moving through metro Atlanta and north Georgia Tuesday morning. 

There’s a level 1 risk for severe storms along the I-85 corridor south and east of the interstate. There’s also a level 2 risk a little more south, including Putnam, Butts, Jasper, Pike, Lamar and Upson counties. 

At 8:15 a.m., a tornado warning was issued for Atlanta, East Point and areas including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport until 8:45 a.m.  It also included parts of DeKalb and Clayton counties before expiring; we have no confirmed reports at this time that a tornado touched down.

A flood was warning issued until 2 p.m. for Fulton County, Clayton County, DeKalb County, as well as Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Harris, Heard, Henry, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties.

A flash flood warning was issued until 2:45 p.m. for Meriwether, Pike, Coweta and Upson counties. Another flash flood warning was issued until 3 p.m. for Spalding, henry, Newton and Rockdale counties.

A flash flood watch is also in effect for the north Georgia mountains. 

RELATED: Dynamic storm system brings rain, wind, severe storm threat to North Georgia

Follow live updates below. You can also track weather as it moves in via your county’s radar online here.

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RELATED: TRACKER | Power outages in metro Atlanta, north Georgia as storms move through Tuesday morning

Scroll below for live updates, weather alerts.

11:36 a.m. | We have confirmation of one death in a wreck during the weather this morning, in Clayton County, as a tree fell onto a car.

11:35 a.m. | Several metro Atlanta waterways are showing minor flooding at this stage – among them Peachtree Creek in Atlanta, North Fork Peachtree Creek at Buford Highway and Briarwood Road, Sweetwater Creek in Lilburn, Big Creek in Alpharetta and Cumming, Pew Creek near Lawrenceville, Big Haynes Creek and No Business Creek, both near Snellville, and the Yellow River near Lithonia.

Currently, there are more serious moderate flooding forecasts for two waterways in the region – the Yellow River near Lithonia, specifically at Pleasant Hill Road, and the Chattooga River up in Summerville.

11:20 a.m. | Some insight into how significant this storm system was, down along the Florida Panhandle – including Panama City Beach – saw major damage in some parts with unconfirmed reports of tornadoes.

10:00 a.m. | Much of the storm/rains have passed, but now the region will be turning attention to flooding and wind risks. A high wind warning is in place for several north Georgia counties – Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White – until 1 p.m.

A wind advisory until 7 p.m. is also in place for virtually the entire metro Atlanta and north Georgia region.

9:07 a.m. | A ground stop is in place at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport until 9:30 a.m.

The FAA places a likelihood of extension past 9:30 a.m. as less than 30%.

9:02 a.m. | Look at how conditions are progressing:

8:48 a.m. | Here’s how things are looking outside the 11Alive News studios:

8:47 a.m. | And now we have a flash flood warning for Spalding, Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties until 3 p.m.

8:43 a.m. | We now have a flash flood warning for Meriwether, Pike, Coweta, Spalding and Upson counties until 2:45 p.m.

8:42 a.m. | We’ll be returning to live coverage at 8:56 a.m.

8:28 a.m. | Again: Tornado warning canceled, but very strong wind risk still in place through 8:45 a.m.:

8:25 a.m. | The tornado warning has been allowed to expire – but a severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for much of the same zone until 8:45 a.m.

8:14 a.m. | Tornado warning issued including Atlanta, East Point and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport until 8:45 a.m. It also includes parts of DeKalb and Clayton counties.

8:05 a.m. | Flood warning issued until 2 p.m. for Fulton County, Clayton County, DeKalb County, as well as Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Harris, Heard, Henry, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties.

7:45 a.m. | You can currently re-watch our full update from a short while ago in the video player at the top of this story.

7:30 a.m. | New flood warning in effect for Big Creek potentially impacting Cumming, Alpharetta and Roswell.

More details here.

7:10 a.m. | Not in our immediate zone, but a tornado watch is in place for much of southwest Georgia until 2 p.m.

6:50 a.m. | Stick with us for continuing live coverage at 7 a.m. from 11Alive Meteorologist Chesley McNeil!

6:35 a.m. | Here’s the latest outlook from 11Alive Meteorologist Chesley McNeil:

6:30 a.m. | National Weather Service reports wind gusts of 35-40 mph have already been observed in parts of west-central Georgia.

4:45 a.m. | Good morning, it’s nasty out there! 

We’re covering metro Atlanta as heavy rains are expected to pour onto the region throughout the morning.

As you can see in the radar above, the rains have already arrived and if you take a look at our hourly forecast, that’s only going to continue into the later morning hours — with wind conditions getting stronger as the morning moves on.

Meanwhile in other parts of the state, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center notes an increased tornado risk moving toward southwest and west central Georgia.

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