Widespread severe thunderstorms are forecast to bring damaging winds, flooding and a threat for strong tornadoes across the region this evening and into Sunday morning.
West Georgia, including parts of Cobb County and Rome, is under a Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe weather and tornados from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Atlanta and most of central Georgia are under a Level 3 of 5 risk.
All severe weather hazards, including tornadoes with wind speeds of 111 mph or more, hail and damaging winds will be possible, as well as flash flooding Sunday morning, the NWS said.
This month also marks the four-year anniversary of the EF4 tornado with 170-mph winds that hit Newnan, killing one person and damaging over a thousand homes.
Here are some safety precautions and tips to prepare for what could be another catastrophic night.
1. Turn around when encountering flooded roads.
Over half of all flood deaths occur in vehicles, according to the NWS. Floodwaters could obscure hazards including large holes or debris and also make it difficult to estimate how deep the waters are.
The NWS has issued flood warnings for Georgia rivers including Lookout Creek near New England, Conasauga River at Tilton, Chattooga River at Summerville and South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold.
2. Secure outdoor objects.
Ensure that your property is secure and remove any loose branches to mitigate flying debris and tree limbs.
3. Avoid driving in strong winds.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles, including trucks or buses that could hit your car in sudden wind gusts.
Use extra caution if driving a high profile vehicle such as a truck or SUV that are at higher risk of being pushed or flipped by high winds.
4. Shelter in your basement or an interior room with no windows in case of a tornado.
If you live in a high-rise building, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible, according to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
Avoid windows, get under something sturdy like a heavy table and protect your head.
5. Have your phone charged in case you lose power.
Do not rely on outdoor sirens as you may not be able to hear them indoors, according to NWS.
Make sure that Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on your phone, and a flashlight and shoes are handy in case you need to evacuate.
» For a detailed forecast, visit www.ajc.com/weather.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @WSBTraffic on X.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
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