LIVE UPDATES: Tornado watch issued for east Georgia as heavy rain winds down in metro Atlanta

North Georgia is waking up to heavy rain, severe thunderstorms and lots of traffic problems Friday morning.

Multiple counties have been under tornado warnings, and Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said the atmosphere is right at any time for a brief, isolated tornado anywhere across North Georgia as a system of strong storms moves through the state.

There have been no reports of any confirmed tornadoes, but damage has been reported across metro Atlanta.

“A very active morning, and it’s going to stay this way over the next several hours,” he said.

The worst of the storms has moved out of metro Atlanta, but Monahan said heavy rain, strong winds and lightning will continue and have the potential to cause major traffic headaches through the peak of the morning rush.

UPDATE [10:38 a.m.]: As heavy rain winds down in metro Atlanta, the severe weather risk is shifting east.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Elbert and Hart counties in east Georgia. Damaging wind and heavy rain is still possible through the afternoon, according to Channel 2 Action News.

The watch is set to expire at 5 p.m.

UPDATE [9:15 a.m.]: Newton and Rockdale counties are in the clear, but a severe thunderstorm warning has been extended for several counties west of Athens.

Walton, Barrow, Jackson, Clarke, and Oconee counties are currently under the warning, which is set to expire at 9:45 a.m. Quarter-sized hail is possible, according to the National Weather Service.

UPDATE [8:45 a.m.]: Another wave of severe weather is moving across the Eastside.

A new severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Rockdale, Newton, Walton, Oconee and Morgan counties until 9:15 a.m. Just after 8:30 a.m., the National Weather Service located a severe thunderstorm near Covington that was moving northeast.

Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said 60 mph wind gusts are possible. Damage to roofs, siding and trees is expected.

UPDATE [8:30 a.m.]: A downed power pole is causing a big traffic jam at a major Midtown intersection.

The pole came down on 14th Street between Spring Street and West Peachtree Street, blocking one lane of traffic and causing delays. Georgia Power is now on scene working to clear the pole and make repairs.

Southwest of the city, all the rain Friday morning has washed away part of Wright Road in Troup County. A large portion of the road has collapsed.

And in northeast Georgia, the Banks County School District has canceled classes because of weather conditions.

UPDATE [8:15 a.m.]: 

According to an alert from the Snellville Police Department, a right turn lane on northbound Scenic Highway at Henry Clower Boulevard is blocked due to the wet weather. The Georgia Department of Transportation has been notified, police said.

MORE: Rain washing away part of major Gwinnett road, officials say

In northern Gwinnett, a tree fell on an apartment building during the storms. Limbs from a large pine tree broke through one apartment at the Columns at Peachtree Corners complex on Concepts 21 Drive. While the apartment was occupied at the time, no one was seriously injured, according to Gwinnett fire officials.

Part of the tree fell in the parking lot.

RELATED: Large tree snaps in half, falls on Gwinnett apartment building

ALSO: Gwinnett weather: Flooding, downed trees and wires reported

North Georgia is no longer under any active tornado warnings. A warning for three counties north of Athens expired at 8:15 a.m., but severe thunderstorm warnings continue for the eastern part of the state.

UPDATE [7:57 a.m.]: A fourth tornado warning has been issued for North Georgia on Friday morning.

The warning includes Madison, Banks and Jackson counties north of Athens. Areas around downtown Athens and the University of Georgia are in the clear, Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

“This is embedded in a much larger area of strong and potentially severe thunderstorms,” Nitz said.

The latest tornado warning is in effect until 8:15 a.m. All previous tornado warnings for North Georgia have expired.

UPDATE [7:54 a.m.]: Metro Atlanta is surveying storm damage as the sun comes up Friday morning.

In north Fulton County, a tree came down on a house in the 200 block of Leaf Court in the Johns Creek area, according to authorities. And authorities are still asking drivers to avoid old Alabama Road between Buice Road and Medlock Road after power lines came down. All lanes remain blocked, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

UPDATE [7:45 a.m.]:  More than 20,000 Georgia Power customers are without power in North Georgia after system of strong to severe thunderstorms moved through Friday morning.

To learn more about power outages in your neighborhood, check out Georgia Power's outage map.

The storm system continues to push to the east.

A tornado warning for five counties west of Athens expired at 7:45 a.m., and a severe thunderstorm warning continues for Banks, Jackson and Madison counties until 8:15 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

UPDATE [7:23 a.m.]: A tornado warning has been issued for five counties to the east of metro Atlanta.

Oconee, Barrow, Clarke, Walton and Jackson are under a tornado warning until 7:45 a.m. A storm capable of producing a tornado was moving out of the Monroe area in Walton County at 7:25 a.m., Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

The storm is expected to stay to the north and west of downtown Athens and the University of Georgia.

“Stay weather aware around UGA this morning,” Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said. “The campus, however, is not in the path of this warning.”

It is the third tornado warning issued for North Georgia on Friday morning. The two previous warnings have expired.

UPDATE [7:10 a.m.]: The southbound lanes of I-75 are reopening in Clayton County after a jackknifed tractor-trailer was moved to the right shoulder at the I-675 interchange, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Traffic is starting to recover, but drivers can still take Tara Boulevard or Ga. 42 to avoid the delays.

There are also delays on the northbound Downtown Connector after all lanes were temporarily blocked to clear a crash, the Traffic Center reported.

And all eastbound lanes of I-20 remain shut down at Martha Berry Road in Carroll County. The Traffic Center suggests drivers continue to use U.S. 78.