UPDATE - At 8:32 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from near Metter to 13 miles southwest of Mendes, moving northeast at 50 mph. The primary hazard is 60 mph wind gusts and small hail, as indicated by radar. Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include Statesboro, Reidsville, Metter, Glennville, Claxton, Brooklet, Hagan, Collins, Cobbtown, and Pulaski, including I-16 between mile markers 96 and 130.
"Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. These storms are capable of producing damaging winds," the NWS warns. "Increased rotation has been detected and a Tornado Warning may be needed. Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado, take shelter in a closet, bathroom or small, central room in a sturdy structure."
Report severe weather to your nearest law enforcement agency or the National Weather Service office in Charleston SC.
Tornado Watch
The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, has issued a tornado watch for Bulloch County and several surrounding areas, effective immediately. The watch, designated Tornado Watch Number 51, is in effect until 2:00 PM EDT today, Sunday, March 16, 2025.
The affected counties in Georgia include: Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Screven, and Tattnall.
The tornado watch extends across portions of Southeast Georgia, Southern North Carolina, Central and Eastern South Carolina, and coastal waters.
According to the NWS, the primary threats associated with this watch include:
- A couple of tornadoes possible.
- Scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph possible.
- Isolated large hail events up to 0.5 inches in diameter possible.
"A broken band of thunderstorms will continue east into the Watch area this morning within a weakly unstable airmass with very strong flow aloft," the NWS bulletin stated. "A greater risk for wind damage along with a threat for a couple of tornadoes, will seemingly focus with organized bowing segments and perhaps a few embedded circulations within the band of thunderstorms."
The tornado watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles east and west of a line from 35 miles north northeast of Fayetteville, NC, to 45 miles southwest of Savannah, GA.
Residents in Bulloch County and the surrounding areas are urged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Residents should monitor local weather reports and be prepared to take shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions:
- Stay informed: Monitor local news, radio, and weather apps for updates.
- Have a plan: Identify safe shelter locations in your home or workplace.
- Be prepared to act quickly: If a tornado warning is issued, seek immediate shelter in a basement, storm cellar, or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
- Listen for later statements and possible warnings.
"REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings," the NWS advises.
Stay tuned to local news outlets for further updates and warnings.
Code Red Alert
The City of Statesboro and Bulloch County announce a partnership to implement the CodeRED system, a high-speed emergency notification service provided by OnSolve, based in Ormond Beach, Florida. Public safety officials across the United States have credited CodeRED notifications for saving lives, including locating missing children, apprehending wanted criminals, and issuing timely evacuations. Click here to add this to your phone now.
Stay Informed and Monitor Weather Forecasts
Closely monitor weather forecasts for the latest updates and warnings. Grice Connect or wherever you get ocal news outlets and the National Weather Service website are excellent resources for staying informed. By planning and taking precautions now, residents can stay safe during this period of dangerously cold temperatures.
Click here for updated weather information throughout the day.
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