Wednesday's live blog: Strong tornadoes, 80mph gusts, large hail

This live blog was updated frequently on Wednesday with the latest information from the severe storm risk that affected the South.

Severe storms will continue into the nighttime hours so keep any eye on the WeatherRadar, keep your phone charged and make sure you have multiple ways to get weather alerts. Weather & Radar's expert meteorologists will be back early tomorrow with a recap of Wednesday's severe storms and a look at the rest of the week.

Large hail has been observed in Arkansas in addition to Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Georgia. Keep an eye out for hail using our RainRadar.

The number of power outages continues to grow in Alabama. Poweroutage.us is reporting more than 70,000 customers without power as of 6:30 p.m CT.

A large and damaging tornado was spotted earlier today in Blakely, Ga. More tornadoes are possible into the evening hours. Stay alert!

Power outages continue to grow in Alabama. Poweroutage.us shows more than 40,000 customers without power. Charge your cellphone and be prepared to be without power if you are in an area where storms are in the forecast.

Two more severe thunderstorm watches have been issued concerning central Arkansas and far western Oklahoma as well as southern Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Keep a close eye on the WeatherRadar as we head into peak commute time.

As the storm threat continues, new power outages may arise and current ones may be extended. According to poweroutage.us, power is currently out for more than 60,000 customers across Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

Weather & Radar meteorologist Becca Parker will be tracking severe storms in a YouTube Live at 4:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. ET). Click below to watch!

Check this video of tornado damage in Abbeville, Ala., from earlier today. This video also shows a rotating cloud moving across the highway in Abbeville.

Parts of southern Georgia, including Albany, Tifton, and Moutrie, have a higher risk of tornadoes over the next few hours.

A PDS (particularly dangerous situation) severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of southeastern Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, and Mississippi until 8 p.m. CT. Widespread damaging winds up to 90 mph, hail and a few tornadoes are likely through the evening.

A large confirmed tornado is on the ground in Early County in Georgia. This tornado is located near Arlington, Ga., and is moving east at 35 mph.

Tornado-warned supercells continue to push east from Alabama into Georgia. Stay alert, these storms may produce tornadoes at any time.

The image below (courtesy of Terry Still) show a possible tornado in Abbeville, Ala. The tornado threat will continue throughout the day in the Deep South, so stay weather aware and turn your Weather & Radar alerts on!

Have you heard the term derecho but aren't sure what it means? Today's severe weather outbreak may include a derecho, which is a widespread area of damaging winds. It's a rare phenomenon in the South, especially in the summer. Click the link below to learn more about derechos.

A tornado was observed at 11:40 a.m. ET in Henry County, Ala. The tornado was observed by the Forestry Commission.

Storms are affecting the northern portion of Mississippi and Alabama and the WeatherRadar shows that more storms, the one that could bring 80mph gusts and a few strong tornadoes will be possible starting at 3 p.m. ET or 2 p.m. CT.

A tornado watch has been posted for central and northern Alabama. It will get really interesting over the next several hours across the Deep South. Remember, the same storms that can produce tornadoes will also produce extremely large hail and damaging winds.

Another concern today is flooding. Check out the latest by Weather & Radar Meteorologist James West:

Numerous storms will affect a large area extending from far eastern Texas through Georgia on Wednesday afternoon into the evening. There is a level 4 out of 5 (moderate) in the severity scale that covers large populated areas such as Jackson, Miss., and Montgomery, Ala.

Make sure to have at least 3 ways of receiving weather alerts and stay weather aware.