Tornado Watches Issued Across Four States as Severe Storms Threaten

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued tornado watches across parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida as severe thunderstorms sweep through the region. The watches, which are in effect until Sunday afternoon, come during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, raising concerns about potential threats to life and property.

On Saturday, tornadoes in Brazoria County, Texas, damaged 10 homes, highlighting the dangers of these storms. The NWS has issued two tornado watches: Watch 723, effective until 9 a.m. EST, covers central, east central, northeast, south central, and southwest Georgia, as well as Florida’s Big Bend and Panhandle. Watch 724, effective until 1 p.m., includes counties in northeast and southeast Georgia, southeast and upstate South Carolina, and western North Carolina.

The NWS warned that severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall will affect most of the eastern U.S. through Sunday. ‘Heavy rain and scattered to severe thunderstorms, capable of producing tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and hail, are possible from the eastern Gulf Coast northward into the Carolinas,’ the NWS stated in its forecast.

Residents in affected areas are urged to stay informed by monitoring local news or NOAA Weather Radio for updates. The NWS emphasized that acting quickly is crucial to staying safe during a tornado. Recommendations include seeking shelter in basements, safe rooms, or interior windowless rooms if indoors, and avoiding vehicles or open spaces if outside.

Emergency preparedness measures remain active, and additional updates from the NWS are expected as conditions develop. Meanwhile, the NWS confirmed three tornadoes in Richland and Fairfield counties in South Carolina on Sunday, with the strongest rated EF-1 near Winnsboro. Two EF-0 tornadoes were also confirmed near Spring Hill and Rion.