US: Tornado watch ongoing for parts of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina until at least 19:00 EDT Aug. 17 /update 1

Event

The US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a tornado watch for northeastern Georgia, northwestern South Carolina, and western North Carolina through at least 19:00 EDT Aug. 17. Damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning, heavy rain, and flash flooding are possible, regardless of whether a tornado reaches the ground. Authorities could extend or expand the weather warnings at short notice.

Localized transport disruptions are likely; strong straight-line winds may pose a hazard to high-profile vehicles. Driving conditions may be difficult on rural routes and regional highways.

Advice

Exercise caution. Monitor local media for weather updates. Be prepared to quickly move to a safe location if new warnings are issued. Postpone driving until weather conditions improve. Charge battery-powered devices in case prolonged electricity outages occur.

Resources

National Weather Service
National Weather Service Tornado Twitter