Tornadoes leave a trail of destruction in parts of Georgia

ATLANTA — Strong storms and at least two confirmed tornadoes caused extensive damage to several areas of north Georgia overnight.

At least one person died in Coweta County after a violent tornado, which officials said was at least an EF-2, hit Newnan.

Another tornado was confirmed in Polk County, although officials have not said what strength it was.

The storms left trees toppled on homes, buildings destroyed and power out across metro Atlanta. Several school districts canceled classes or delayed starting this morning.

We have crews across north Georgia that were hit the hardest by storms. Live coverage throughout the day on Channel 2 Action News.

At least five people were killed in Alabama when tornadoes moved through Thursday afternoon.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brad Nitz says there are multiple reports of structural damage in Newnan and Coweta County. Heard, Bartow and Polk counties are also reporting structural damage.

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LIVE UPDATES

12:58 p.m.

Gov. Brian Kemp says he will visit Coweta County tomorrow to survey the damage

“Tomorrow, I’ll visit Coweta County to survey the damage from last night’s storms and offer state aid to the local community,” Kemp said. “We continue to pray for the families who are facing tragic loss of life in Georgia and neighboring states.”

12:26 p.m.

The Red Cross said they are working to provide housing/hotels and emotional support to families impacted by the storm.

Viewers who want to help can donate to the disaster relief fund at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-Red-Cross.

11:42 a.m.

O’Charley’s will be at the Newnan High School starting at 1pm to feed the community until the food runs out.

11:15 a.m.

Officials have confirmed the tornado in Newnan was at least an EF-2.

Newnan officials say a man who had a medical emergency died during last night’s storms as crews tried to reach him. Otherwise, there have only been minor injuries reported.

Officials are going door-to-door this afternoon to check to make sure everyone is accounted for.

10:43 a.m.

The Newnan Police Department has opened a donation site. At this time they are requesting only water, non-perishable foods, toiletries, etc. No clothing. All donations are appreciated.

8:44 a.m.

Newnan officials say at least 1 person died as a result of the tornado emergency. They are still investigating the circumstances.

Officials are asking people to stay off the roads as crews work to clear debris and restore power.

7:25 a.m.

The City of Newnan will give an update at 8:30 a.m. We will stream the news conference LIVE on Channel 2 Action News This Morning.

6:54 a.m.

Bartow County Schools are closed after overnight storms.

6:41 a.m.

Georgia 34 near Mill Street in Heard County is closed due to damage and debris.

6:27 a.m.

Cartersville High School will have a digital learning day today.

6:24 a.m.

A strong storm is moving across Spalding County.

5:25 a.m.

Gilmer County schools are delayed 2 hours.

5:22 a.m.

Pickens County schools are delayed 2 hours.

5:07 a.m.

Gordon County schools are on a two-hour delay.

5:06 a.m.

Power crews in Newnan are working hard to address outages:

4:45 a.m.

The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who has a chainsaw and wants to help clear trees to meet at Newnan High School.

“Significant storm damage throughout Coweta County. Most roads are impassable. Sheriffs Office phones lines are down,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote. “911 phones lines are working. Please stay off roads to allow emergency vehicles access.”

2:44 a.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 3:15 a.m. for DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

1:55 a.m.

Tornado watch has been issued for part of our area, shown in red, until 7 am.

12:55 a.m.

All active warnings have now expired. The severe weather threat has weakened. Some areas will see heavy rain and flooding is possible throughout north Georgia.

12:29 a.m.

A tornado EMERGENCY has been issued for Fayette County. Emergency means there is a large, dangerous tornado on the ground

12:13 a.m.

TAKE COVER NOW in NEWNAN! A tornado EMERGENCY has been issued for the city of Newnan.

11:55 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Bartow, Cherokee counties until 12:15 a.m.

11:15 p.m.

Tornado warning extended into Heard County until midnight eastern. LIVE tracking NOW on Channel 2

11:01 p.m.

Tornado warning issued for Randolph County, Alabama in Channel 2 viewing area. LIVE tracking NOW on Channel 2

10:58 p.m.

Floyd County and Polk County schools will be closed on Friday due to storm damage and flooding. Calhoun City Schools will be opening two hours late.

10:13 p.m.

Polk County Schools will be closed on Friday. Calhoun City Schools will be delayed 2 hours as well.

9:33 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for parts of Cherokee, Forsyth, North Fulton and Bartow counties until 10:15 p.m.

8:53 p.m.

Parts of Paulding, Cherokee, Haralson, Cobb, Polk and Bartow counties are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 9:30 p.m.

7:52 p.m.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for all of metro Atlanta and north Georgia until 2 a.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issues for parts of Paulding, Cherokee, North Fulton and Bartow counties until 8:30 p.m.

5:50 p.m.

Channel 2 Action News viewers have reported some heavy flooding in Floyd County. A flash flood warning is in effect for the area until 9:30 p.m.

5:48 p.m.

All tornado warnings have now expired.

5:40 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Bartow, Cherokee and Pickens counties until 6:15 p.m.

5:05 p.m.

Polk County Schools will be closed Friday so officials can assess storm damage.

5:00 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for Bartow County until 5:45 p.m.

4:19 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for Floyd and Polk counties until 5:15 p.m. The same long-track tornado carved a miles-long swath of damage across Alabama this afternoon.

Anyone within the warning area needs to take cover immediately:

4:08 p.m.

A large tornado on the ground in Alabama is about 22 miles from the Georgia state line.

3:08 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties until 3:45 p.m.

2:54 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for Madison, Banks and Jackson counties until 3:15 p.m.

1:40 p.m.

The city of Cedartown in Polk County is reporting trees down and flooding after strong storms moved through:

1:31 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Cherokee, Barrow, Forsyth, Cobb, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Fulton counties until 2:15 p.m.

1:05 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Cherokee, Forsyth, Cobb and Fulton counties until 1:30 p.m. Winds of 60 mph and hail 1 inch in diameter is possible.

12:44 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Paulding, Cobb, Floyd, Polk and Bartow counties until 1:30 p.m.

12:31 p.m.

A tornado watch has been issued for the far northwest corner of the state until 9 p.m. The counties include Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Polk and Whitfield.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said there is already some rotation in these storms, including a supercell in Polk County.

12:27 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Haralson, Floyd and Polk counties until 12:45 p.m.

[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar]

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