Tornado watch issued for Chattanooga area

photo The Chattanooga sky this afternoon. A tornado watch has been declared for the Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia and western North Carolina through 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

A tornado watch has been declared for the Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia and western North Carolina through 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rains and thunderstorms will be passing through the area with rates as much as 1 inch per hour, the weather service states.

Localized stream flooding is possible, but no widespread flooding is predicted as of this afternoon.

The watch is issued for Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, Cherokee, Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray and Chattooga counties.

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