A deadly storm system that earlier left a path of damage from tornadoes, lightning and hail roughed up the Southeast Tuesday. Some Atlanta residents awoke to tornado warning sirens, while power was knocked out for thousands of customers and the morning commute was messy for thousands more.
At least 13 tornadoes were reported Monday from Texas to Alabama with two people confirmed dead and thousands left without power. As the storm marched eastward, tens of millions of people were in the crosshairs, with the Florida Panhandle through Georgia and the Carolinas likely in line for the biggest hit.
"The squall line is moving pretty fast and certain areas could see lightning, heavy rain, gusty winds and even an isolated tornado," said Brian Fortier, meteorologist at The Weather Channel. By 4:20 a.m. ET, the National Weather Service had issued a line of flash flood watches and a few flash flood warnings from the Gulf Coast to Kentucky. Tornado watches were also in place for eastern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and western Georgia. While not expected to carry as severe tornado threat as Monday, the storms were forecast to bring lightning and high winds. "People still need to take care when leaving the house in these areas," Fortier added.
The risk of severe thunderstorms will continue on Wednesday — shifting east towards North Carolina and north into southern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, according to the Weather Channel. The biggest threat there will be damaging wind gusts, although there are slight changes of tornadoes. More thunderstorms are possible in New England and New York on Thursday.