Live weather updates: Tornado watch issued for Augusta area, 75 mph gusts possible

A large storm made it's way to the Augusta area Tuesday and the National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina is warning residents about damaging winds and potential flooding.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, the weather service issued a hazardous weather outlook for Richmond, Columbia, Burke McDuffie and Aiken counties. The most severe weather will occur from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Winds are expected to remain around 25 mph, with gusts reaching 70 mph, according to the weather service. Severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and a significant tornado is possible in the afternoon.

Heavy rainfall is also expected, which could lead to river flooding, according to the weather service. Three inches of rain is expected.

Follow along below for live storm updates from the Augusta Chronicle news team.

Latest: Weather alerts and warnings across Georgia

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Martinez, Evans and North Augusta | 12:35 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning for Martinez, Evans and North Augusta is in effect until 1:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Winds may reach up to 70 mph and pea-sized hail is possible, according to the NWS.

Augusta flood advisory | 12:30 p.m.

The NWS issued a flood advisory for Richmond Columbia, Burke, Lincoln, McDuffie, Aiken and Edgefield counties at noon Tuesday.

Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected, according to the NWS. The advisory will be in effect until 3 p.m.

Locations that might experience flooding include North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Martinez, Fort Eisenhower, Augusta, Hephzibah, Edgefield, Lincolnton, Clarks Hill Recreation Area and the J. Strom Thurmond Dam.

Flooding will also impact the following highways: Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23, Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markes 0 and 15, Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 167 and 201, Interstate 520 in Georgia between miles markers 1 and 15.

Live weather radar for Augusta area | 12:20 p.m.

Tornado watch issued for Augusta area | 11:45 a.m.

A tornado watch was issued at 11:40 a.m. for Richmond, Columbia, Burke, McDuffie and Lincoln counties, according to the National Weather Service in Columbia.

The watch, which notes a few tornadoes are likely, is in effect until 6 p.m. The watch also states isolated hail up to a quarter size is possible and gusts will reach 75 mph.

Augusta EMA issued a public safety alert at 11:52 a.m. stating, "Seek shelter indoors in an interior room immediately. Do not go outside. If you are outside, seek indoor shelter immediately."

The NWS issues a tornado watch when there is an increased risk for severe weather that may be capable of producing a tornado, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website. The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Usually, a warning means locals should seek shelter immediately.

Augusta Fire Department goes live on Facebook to address storm concerns, possible tornado | 11:40 a.m.

The Augusta Fire Department/EMA went live on Facebook at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to address locals' concerns about the storm and safety measures the city is taking.

EMA deputy director Andrew Jensen said citizens who encounter downed trees should call 311 to report the issue. He said at the time of the livestream, there were no trees blocking major roadways in Augusta.

Jensen stressed only emergency medical issues should be reported to 911.

In the event of a tornado, Jensen said to find a stable structure to seek shelter in. He added it is important for residents to cover their heads if a tornado travels through Augusta.

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Lincolnton, Ga. | 11:35 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Lincolnton, Georgia, according to the National Weather Service in Columbia.

The storm will contain wind gusts up to 70 mph and pea-sized hail, according to the weather service. The warning is in effect until 12:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Which Augusta-area schools have closed due to the weather? | 11:30 a.m.

Richmond and Aiken counties' school systems reported Monday that they would close schools and cancel extracurricular activities Tuesday, making it a distance learning day for students to continue their education at home. Paine and Augusta Technical College's students are doing the same.

USC Aiken, Aiken Technical College and Burke County Public School System also reported closures Tuesday on their respective Facebook pages.

Columbia County School District remains open. There was a brief power outage at River Ridge Elementary School in Evans and, according to a letter sent out to parents from Principal Michelle Miller, it was due to vehicle striking a nearby power pole.

Augusta University remains fully open at this time, according to AU Spokesperson Kevin Faigle.

Augusta-area municipalities close doors early | 11:16 a.m.

The Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building on Telfair Street will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to Augusta Spokesperson Danielle Harris. Augusta 311 will remain operational until 7 p.m. Tuesday for non-emergency or weather-related concerns, and public safety operations will continue as normal. Regular business hours will resume on Wednesday.

The North Augusta Municipal Building and other Aiken County offices will also be closed Tuesday, according to North Augusta's Facebook page. North Augusta sanitation pickup is still scheduled for Wednesday morning, but the city may suspend trash and recycling pickup depending on the weather conditions.

Power outages in the Augusta area mostly resolved | 10:30 a.m.

As of 10:30 a.m., less than a dozen Augustans are without power after a string of early morning outages.

Earlier Tuesday, Georgia Power reported more than 2,000 Augustans were without power.

As of 10:30 a.m., nearly 200 customers were without power in Evans and less than a dozen customers were without power in Augusta, according to Georgia Power's outage map.

About 730 customers were without power in Aiken, according to Dominion Energy's outage map.

Tornado possible in Augusta area, history of Georgia twisters and safety tips

The National Weather Service in Columbia announced Tuesday a significant tornado is possible in the Augusta area in the late afternoon.

The last large tornado to roll into Augusta was an EF1 tornado measuring a mile in length on Aug. 17, 1954. Although there were no injuries or fatalities, the twister caused significant damage.

The City of Augusta provided the following safety tips for residents:

• Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert residents to the presence of a tornado. Many people say it sounds like a freight train.

• If living in a mobile home, consider moving to a sturdy building or storm shelter if a tornado watch is issued.

• Take shelter in a cellar or basement during a tornado warning. If an underground shelter is not available, seek shelter in an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

• Those living in an apartment that is on an upper floor should get to the lowest level of the building if a tornado warning is issued.

• If traveling in a car, pull over and park. Either stay in the car with the seatbelt on and duck below the windows or leave the car and hide in a deep ditch.

Tornadoes in Augusta: History of tornadoes throughout Georgia

City of Aiken government closed due to weather concerns | 10 a.m.

All non-emergency departments of the City of Aiken closed Tuesday due to the threat of extreme weather.

"Citizens are encouraged to secure loose outdoor items and remain off the roadways as much as possible," the city said in a news release.

All public meetings scheduled for Tuesday will be postponed. The Planning Commission meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday.

Solid waste collection will proceed as regularly scheduled, according to the release. To expedite collection, trash and recycling will be co-mingled.

It is expected that city offices will reopen Wednesday, unless there is sufficient damage to prevent the offices from opening safely, according to the release.

Updates will be posted at https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/.

Weather Channel updates for Augusta, Ga.

The latest information from The Weather Channel can be found HERE.

Power outages in the Augusta area | 8:30 a.m.

As of 8:30 a.m., Georgia Power reported 90 customers were without power in Augusta, 11 customers were without power in Grovetown and five customers were without power in Appling, according to its outage map.

Dominion Energy reported 530 customers were without power in Aiken, according to its outage map.

Storm damage in Richmond, Columbia counties

Columbia County Sheriff's Office deputies reported traffic light outages and a number of crashes around 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.

As of 8:30 a.m., Maj. Steve Morris with the sheriff's office said no lights are out.

As of 8:30 a.m., there was a wind speed of 26 mph at the Augusta Daniel Field, according to the weather service. Locals should secure outdoor objects and avoid driving.

Severe weather to continue in the Augusta area Wednesday morning, Friday

Strong winds will continue into Wednesday morning and another storm Friday may bring severe weather to the Augusta area, according to the weather service.

Dogs killed in Columbia County: Deputies find 14 dead dogs, some stuffed in a freezer and refrigerator, in Grovetown home

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Weather updates in Augusta, Ga: Augusta under tornado watch