First Alert Weather Day issued for Thursday as severe storms and flash flood risk grows

Southwest Georgia is now in an active severe-weather period as a First Alert Weather Day continues for Thursday, with a tornado watch in effect for part of the region and heavy rain still expected.

WALB said on May 6 that the alert covers Thursday from 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a marginal risk of severe storms and flash flooding. Forecasters were calling for 1 to 3 inches of rain, with isolated areas possibly picking up more than 4 inches.

The National Weather Service point forecast for Albany showed a Tornado Watch in effect until 10:00 a.m. EDT and called for showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., with some storms potentially severe. The forecast also kept rain chances high through the morning.

WALB’s morning update on May 7 said the storms were expected to shift south through Thursday morning and early afternoon, with heavy rain and strong storms continuing.

The main threats remain damaging wind, locally heavy rain and the chance for rapid flooding in the hardest-hit spots. Later warnings could still be issued if storms intensify or train over the same areas.