"TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building," NWS Greenville-Spartanburg said in the warning. "Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."

Power outages are spiking as severe weather is hitting the eastern half of the U.S. See map of outages by state.

Severe storm threat today. The most intense storms, between 3 and 6 p.m., could produce wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph and/or tornadoes. Sharply colder Tuesday.

At 9:47 a.m. on Monday, the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC released an updated tornado warning in effect until 10:15 a.m. for Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties.

At 3:10 a.m. on Monday, the National Weather Service released a tornado watch in effect until 9 a.m. for Baldwin, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia and Mobile counties.

A potential severe weather outbreak on Monday could bring damaging winds, hail and a few significant tornadoes from the Mid-Atlantic to the Carolinas.

At 8:55 a.m. on Monday, the NWS Blacksburg VA issued a tornado watch in effect until 2 p.m. The watch is for Caswell, Rockingham and Stokes counties.

Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for multiple counties in metro Atlanta and North Georgia for Monday morning.