ATLANTA — Now that the early morning's severe weather has cleared out of north Georgia, 11Alive is keeping an eye on the high winds that are still threatening to bring down trees over portions of the metro area.
A wind advisory is in effect through 7 p.m., with sustained winds of up to 25 mph and wind gusts of up to 35 mph. After last week's rains, there is a concern for additional downed trees and power lines across much of the region.
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019
5:30 p.m. - Georgia Power is reporting that there about 137 outages affecting about 4,200 customers. Meanwhile, Georgia EMC is reporting about 5,400 outages as of 5:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m. - The National Weather Service confirms an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds touched down in southern Coweta County, toppling trees. Residents said the storm was short-lived, but sounded like a "jet landing on top of the house."
2 p.m. - Georgia Power said that the number of customers without power statewide had grown significantly, to 7,726, with the majority of those in metro Atlanta. Georgia EMC says their numbers have also increased, to 6,469 customer outages.
11:30 a.m. - Georgia Power says the total number of customers without power statewide has fallen to 827, while Georgia EMC says 629 customers are without power as of 11:30 am. Both utilities say those numbers are expected to fluctuate up or down a bit throughout the remainder of the day due to the increased winds across the state.
The Wind Advisory remains in effect across much of the northern two-thirds of the state through 7 p.m. Winds are expected to subside Sunday evening, and the increased threat of falling trees is also expected to be reduced by evening as well.
8:45 a.m. - Georgia Power says 2,024 customers are without power statewide. Georgia EMC is reporting 1,074 customers without power. The vast majority of those for both utilities are in the metro Atlanta region.
POWER OUTAGES CHECK | Georgia Power customers, check here. Georgia EMC customers check here.
8 a.m. - A Wind Advisory is effect for all of north Georgia through 7 pm. Sustained winds of 15-to-25 mph are expected, with wind gusts to 35 mph.
With the ground softened from last week's extended rainfall, weakened root systems may make trees and tree limbs more susceptible to falling. Power outages may be more likely as a result.
6:50 a.m. - The Flood Watch for Georgia's far northern counties - Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Polk, Towns, Union, Walker, White and Whitfield - has been canceled.
6:15 a.m. - According to Coweta County Fire Chief Deron Wilson, a total of eight trees have been reported to have fallen across the entire county overnight.
As of 6:15, Georgia Power is reporting 343 customers without power statewide. Georgia EMC says 668 of their customers are without power across the state. Both utilities are working to restore power as rapidly as possible.
5:03 a.m. - Authorities in Coweta County confirm two trees down in the 1900 block of Gordon Road near the town of Moreland, Georgia. Dispatch also reporting power outages.
Severe storm images from the weekend of Feb. 23-24, 2019
5:01 a.m. - Georgia EMC reporting 1,435 outages with 1,157 of them in north Georgia. Georgia Power reports about 20 outages impacting 321 customers statewide.
5:00 a.m. - Significant weather advisory for northeastern Chattahoochee, southeastern Harris, northwestern Marion, Upson, Talbot and Muscogee counties until 5:45 a.m.
4:59 a.m. - Significant weather advisory still in effect for southeastern Fayette, Spalding, Meriwether and Pike Counties until 5:30 a.m.
4:56 a.m. - Severe thunderstorm warning canceled for Coweta, Fayette, and Spalding counties.
4:33 a.m. - Tornado warning for Coweta County until 4:45 a.m.
4:28 a.m. - A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect for Meriwether and Troup counties until 5 a.m.
4:13 a.m. - A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Fulton and heard counties until 4:45 a.m.
Read more:
► Heavy rain, floods, even a tornado as storms smack the South
► TIMELINE | Here is when to expect severe weather late Saturday night
► Storms could be strong to tonight!
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POWER OUTAGES CHECK | Georgia Power customers, check here. Georgia EMC customers check here.