The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for southeastern Clay County and northern Lowndes County, including Columbus, after a funnel cloud was spotted near Tibbee Friday afternoon. Minutes later, a warning was issued for Oktibbeha and Noxubee counties.
The warnings, which expired at 4:45 p.m. and 5 p.m., were among at least three issued in the Golden Triangle as a line of severe storms moved through the area Friday.
The weather service said that weather spotters saw a funnel cloud eight miles souhwest of Tibbee, moving east at 45 mph. Areas in the warning also included Caledonia, Kolola Springs and Steens.
A separate warning was issued for Oktibbeha and Noxubee counties until 5 p.m., after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was spotted near Betheden, moving east at 40 mph. That warning also included the Craig Springs, Oktoc, Sessums, Crawford, Brooksville and Bent Oak areas.
The weather service also extended a tornado watch for the Golden Triangle area until 10 p.m.
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