The greater Chattanooga area experienced high winds on Saturday after a strong storm system moved through the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians. The area was under a wind advisory until 8 p.m.
Southwest winds from 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph were expected.
(READ MORE: How to stay safe during severe weather in the Chattanooga area)
The NWS issued tornado watches for Hamilton County and several other surrounding Tennessee and Georgia counties Saturday until 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Tornado warnings were issued just before 6 a.m. for parts of Bradley, Hamilton, Polk and McMinn counties Saturday until 6:30 and 7 a.m.
The NWS warned of strong to severe storms, damaging winds, localized flooding and the possibility of tornadoes, the highest risk being along and near the Cumberland Plateau and southern Tennessee Valley.
Storms that dropped possibly dozens of tornadoes killed at least 21 people in small towns and big cities across the South and Midwest, tearing a path through the Arkansas capital, collapsing the roof of a packed concert venue in Illinois, and stunning people throughout the region Saturday with the damage’s scope.