Weather Alert: Tornado Watch/Severe Thunderstorm issued for Walton and surrounding counties

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for several counties, including Walton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Oconee and surrounding counties for the overnight hours of March 19 – 20, 2018.

The Tornado Watch will remain in effect until 4 a.m. Stay tuned for updates.

Update from the National Weather Service at 11:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… Spalding County in west central Georgia… Rockdale County in north central Georgia… Southeastern DeKalb County in north central Georgia… Southeastern Fayette County in north central Georgia… Henry County in north central Georgia… Southern Walton County in north central Georgia… Butts County in central Georgia… Central Clayton County in north central Georgia… Newton County in north central Georgia… * Until midnight EDT * At 1130 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Big Haynes Creek Park to near Alvaton, moving southeast at 50 mph. HAZARD…Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include… Griffin, McDonough, Fayetteville, Conyers, Covington, Jackson, Jonesboro, Peachtree City, Stockbridge, Hampton, Morrow, Lovejoy, Locust Grove, Social Circle, Oxford, Lithonia, Porterdale, Walnut Grove, Newborn and Brooks. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move immediately to shelter inside a strong building. Stay away from windows. If you see wind damage…hail or flooding…wait until the storm has passed…and then call the National Weather Service toll free at 1 8 6 6 7 6 3 4 4 6 6 or tweet us your report at NWSATLANTA. && A tornado watch remains in effect until 400 AM EDT for central, north central and west central Georgia. TORNADO…POSSIBLE HAIL…1.50IN WIND…60MPH