Tornado Watch for Gwinnett County

Severe weather is expected to roll into Gwinnett County during the evening commute on Monday.

As of 5:25 p.m., there were no weather-related incidents in Gwinnett County, according to local fire officials.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued shortly after 5 p.m. by the National Weather Service, and it remains in effect until 6 p.m. Radar indicated a line of storms capable of producing damaging winds up to 60 mph. These storms include Gwinnett County.

A tornado watch, issued about 1:30 p.m. by the National Weather Service, is in effect for the entire county through 8 p.m. A tornado watch means that weather conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to produce tornadoes.

All neighboring Gwinnett counties, including Rockdale, DeKalb, Walton, Hall, Forsyth, Barrow and Fulton are also under a tornado watch. 

The National Weather Service also issued a wind advisory until 7 p.m. across central and north Georgia. Winds are expected to reach at least 20 mph to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. Winds this strong can knock down tree limbs, small objects outdoors and make driving difficult, according to the advisory.

Tips from the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center:

In a house with a basement: Avoid windows. Get in the basement and under some kind of sturdy protection, or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag.

In a house with no basement, a dorm, or an apartment: Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway. Crouch low to the floor, and face down. Cover your head with your hands. If you crouch inside a bathtub, you should cover yourselsf with thick padding to protect against debris.

In an office building, hospital, nursing home or skyscraper: Go to an enclosed, center area with no windows, on the lowest floor possible. Crouch down, and and cover your head. Interior stairwells can also provide shelter. Do not go in an elevator.

In a mobile home: Leave, do not stay in a mobile home. Seek a nearby tornado shelter in the city, run to the nearest sturdy shelter around your home or lie flat on the ground (protecting your head) away from your home, trees and cars.

At school: Go to an interior hall or room, avoding windows. Crouch low, head down, and protect the back of your head with your arms. 

In a car or truck: Although it is possible to drive away from the path of tornado (if it's far enough and traffic is light), a best bet is to park your car out of the traffic and seek shelter in a nearby, sturdy building. If there are no good shelters nearby, run to low ground, lie dawn flat and face down, and cover your head with your hands. Avoid shelter under bridges, which may not protect against flying debris.

In the open outdoors: If you can find s sturdy building, go there. Otherwise, lie on the ground and face down with your arms covering your head. Stay away from vehicles, trees or other large objects that may be blown your way.

In a shopping mall or large store: Move quickly to an interior bathroom, storage room or other small area. Avoid windows.

In a church or theater: Move quickly to an interior bathroom or hallway. Avoid windows. Crouch low and cover your head with your arms. If there is little time to seek different shelter, get under your chair seats, and protect your head.