Severe Weather Strikes Southeast; Tornado Warnings Expire After Early Morning Storms

2025-03-02

Tornado warnings expired early Sunday morning, February 16, 2025, for parts of South Carolina and Georgia as severe weather moved through the region. The warnings, which had been in effect for several counties, were lifted by 6:38 a.m. EST. Affected areas included Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties in South Carolina, as well as Hart, Franklin, and Stephens counties in Georgia. No damage was reported in the areas under the warnings, though strong winds persisted through 8 a.m. in the Upstate region.

In Georgia, a line of strong storms brought torrential rain, wind gusts exceeding 65 mph, and possible tornadoes, causing widespread damage and power outages. The storms began around 2 a.m., with the worst effects felt in metro Atlanta between 4 and 5 a.m. By 7 a.m., most of the rain had subsided, but cooler air swept in during the afternoon. A lightning strike in Cumming set fire to a home, while trees and power lines were reported down across multiple counties, including Troup, Cherokee, and Fulton. Over 255,000 customers were without power statewide at the peak of the outages.

In Alabama, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Lee and Tallapoosa counties until 3:15 a.m. Sunday. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was detected near Waverly, moving east at 65 mph. Residents were urged to seek immediate shelter in basements or interior rooms on the lowest floor of sturdy buildings.

The storms highlighted the importance of understanding tornado watches and warnings. A tornado watch indicates conditions are favorable for tornado formation, while a tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or detected by radar, requiring immediate action to protect life and property. Authorities emphasized the need for preparedness, including having emergency plans, supplies, and safe rooms ready.