Tornado Warnings Issued For 5 States — ‘Take Cover’

A volatile stretch of severe weather pushed across the Deep South late Wednesday night, with tornado watches and warnings lighting up weather radar screens from Mississippi to Georgia, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). 

For millions of residents across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and parts of Georgia, the message from NWS was straightforward: Stay alert and be ready to move fast, and “take cover” if necessary.

According to the NWS, severe storms and tornadoes often develop when warm, humid air— from the Gulf in this case—collides with an approaching cold front, creating unstable conditions, capable of producing tornadoes.

Tornado Watches Stretch Across Multiple States

Large parts of the South spent the night under a tornado watch, which remains in place until early Thursday morning. 

The watches span much of southern and central Alabama, southern Mississippi, a slice of southeastern Louisiana, and Florida’s western Panhandle. 

At the same time, another tornado watch covered a broad swath of Georgia, including Atlanta and surrounding metro counties, through the early morning hours of Thursday.

A tornado watch doesn’t mean that a tornado is happening—but it does mean that the atmosphere is primed and ready for one. 

Tornado Warnings Signal Immediate Danger

More urgent were the tornado warnings issued in Mississippi, particularly in Marion County, where a storm capable of producing a tornado was tracked near Columbia. 

That warning remained in effect until Wednesday night, with radars showing that winds inside the storm were rotating, which could produce a tornado.

For those in its path, the threat wasn’t abstract. The NWS warned that “flying debris” would be “dangerous to those caught without shelter,” and that there was potential for mobile homes to be destroyed. Situations like this leave little time for hesitation—when a warning is issued, it’s already happening or about to.

Severe Thunderstorms Add to the Risk

Even outside confirmed tornado zones, the NWS issued “severe” thunderstorm warnings for the region overnight on Wednesday, lingering into early Thursday morning.

In Crenshaw County, Alabama, a severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect until late on Wednesday night, as a fast-moving storm barreled its way east, at highway speeds. According to the NWS, the storm carried ping-pong-ball-sized hail and winds reaching up to 60 mph, more than enough to damage roofs, shatter windows, and bring down tree limbs.

Further west in Mississippi, another warning stretched into the early hours of Thursday, covering Marion, Forrest, and Lamar counties, including Hattiesburg. These storms brought strong, 60 mph winds and hail the size of a quarter—and carried the added risk of spinning up a tornado with little notice.

Tornado Watches vs. Tornado Warnings: Knowing the Difference

When conditions like these unfold, understanding the weather warnings in place can make all the difference.

A tornado watch is the buildup—the signal that ingredients are in place and storms could turn dangerous. It’s the time to stay aware, keep your phone close, and think through where you’d go if things escalate.

A tornado warning, on the other hand, is the trigger. It means a tornado has been spotted or detected by radar, and action is needed immediately. There’s no waiting to see what happens next.

What to Do When Seconds Count

With storms hitting overnight, one of the biggest challenges is simply being ready while most people are asleep. That’s why meteorologists stress keeping alerts turned on and having a plan in place before going to bed.

If a warning is issued, the safest move is to get to the lowest level of a sturdy building—ideally a basement, or at least an interior room away from windows. 

Time matters. So does instinct: Don’t second-guess it.

For thunderstorms, the advice is simpler but just as important. Stay inside, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep clear of windows. If hail starts falling, your car and your roof are both at risk.

With watches in place into the early morning hours of Thursday, forecasters say the threat isn’t over once the first storms pass. Systems like this can redevelop, shift direction, or intensify again before sunrise.

For now, the takeaway is clear: Across the Deep South, stay alert, stay informed, and be ready to act at a moment’s notice.