A powerful storm system sweeping across Georgia on Thursday brought tornado warnings, widespread power outages and significant travel disruptions, leaving residents across metro Atlanta and dozens of surrounding counties on alert.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for parts of western Georgia late Thursday afternoon after meteorologists detected rotation within a severe thunderstorm moving northeast near Columbus. The warning covered portions of Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Talbot and Harris counties and remained in effect into the evening.
At the same time, a broader tornado watch stretched across 38 counties, including much of metro Atlanta, where officials warned that conditions remained favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms through the night.
Tornado warning issued as storm intensifies
Weather officials issued the tornado warning after radar indicated a rotating thunderstorm near Kenwood, roughly 7 miles east of Columbus…