Douglas County shelters to open at 8 p.m. Saturday
Douglas County plans to open two community storm shelters at 8 p.m. Saturday, the county’s management department said.
The locations: Deer Lick Park Gym, 2105 Mack Rd., Douglasville, and Lithia Springs Senior Center, 7301 Groovers Lake Rd.
Storm shelters open across metro Atlanta
Atlanta – The Central Park Recreation Center on Merritts Avenue and the Old Adamsville Recreation Center at Delmar Lane.
DeKalb County – Frontline Response International on Gresham Road, the North DeKalb Senior Community Center on Malone Drive, the Mason Mill Recreation Center on McConnell Drive, and the Exchange Park Intergeneration Center on Columbia Drive.
Coweta County – The Nest on 1st Avenue, Change Church on West Broad Street, Sargent Baptist Church on Sargent Main Street, and Moreland United Methodist Church on Church Street.
Douglas County – The Lithia Springs Senior Center on Veterans Memorial Highway and Deer Lick Park on Mack Road.
Heard County – Glenloch Baptist Church on Glenloch Road and Heard County High School on East Court Square.
Troup County – The Hogansville Police Department on Lincoln Street and the old Whitesville Road Elementary School building on Whitesville Road.
Storm system has ‘underperformed so far,’ meteorologist says
Storms bound for Georgia will pass through Alabama first.
That state’s high-rated TV meteorologist said three confirmed tornadoes have touched down in Alabama as of 7 p.m. Eastern time, with no major damage reported so far outside of heavy rain and trees down.
“So far, the system has underperformed,” WBMA-TV meteorologist James Spann in Birmingham said.
He cautioned that storms later Saturday night and Sunday morning could be more severe.
Death toll rises as storm system moves across U.S.
At least 26 people have been killed in the monster storm sweeping across much of the U.S.
Kansas authorities said eight people died in a highway pileup caused by a dust storm Friday. But as of Saturday evening, Missouri still led the nation in fatalities. Authorities say the state was pounded by scattered twisters overnight that resulted in at least 12 deaths. Arkansas and Texas each saw three weather-related fatalities.
High winds and dry conditions also raised the risk of wildfires. In Oklahoma, nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed. The Storm Prediction Center designated the day as “high risk” for severe weather, especially in the Deep South.
Check here for the latest from around the U.S.
When will storms reach Georgia?
Heavy showers will move into far northeast Georgia around 8 p.m. Saturday. The line of storms is projected to reach west metro Atlanta by around midnight and then continue through the city past 2 a.m. It will then start moving out toward east metro Atlanta and East Georgia.
Overall, thunderstorms are projected to move through the state between 8 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.
Tornado watch issued in far North Georgia
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for parts of North Georgia, including Dalton, Calhoun, Ellijay and Jasper, around 6 p.m. Saturday. That is in effect until 1 a.m. Sunday.
Heavy storms are expected to reach northeast Georgia by around 8 p.m.
Gov. Brian Kemp issues State of Emergency
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency on Saturday afternoon and stated that all resources of the state would be made available to assist in preparation, response and recovery activities.
“This storm will hit at the worst possible time, as people are heading to or already in bed,” Kemp said. “Be prepared ahead of time and remain weather aware as long as this system is in the state.”
What’s the difference between a tornado watch and warning?
A tornado watch means the conditions are favorable for a tornado to form; this is your signal to have a plan in place.
A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted or indicated on the radar; this is your signal to take shelter immediately.
What’s the difference between a tornado watch and warning?
A tornado watch means the conditions are favorable for a tornado to form; this is your signal to have a plan in place.
A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted or indicated on the radar; this is your signal to take shelter immediately.
Wind-whipped wildfires destroy 170,000 acres in Oklahoma
Tornadoes have not been the only source of destruction during this deadly severe-weather outbreak.
Nearly 300 homes and buildings were destroyed by wildfires across Oklahoma on Friday and Saturday, Gov. Kevin Stitt said during a news conference.
The wildfires were fueled by 75 mph winds that swirled through the state behind violent thunderstorms that hit Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri.
The college town of Stillwater, home of Oklahoma State University, was forced to evacuate hundreds of people. More than 100 stayed in a makeshift shelter. More than 50 homes burned to the ground, officials said.
More than 170,000 acres in Oklahoma have burned, Stitt said.
“It was just a perfect storm,” Stitt said Saturday morning.
The governor said a farmhouse of his north of Luther, Okla., was destroyed.
