Severe thunderstorm warning issued for parts of metro Atlanta
Storm Tracker 2 HD Radar is tracking showers and storms for metro Atlanta and parts of north Georgia. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett, Walton, Newton and Rockdale counties until 4:15 p.m.: Rockdale County in north central Georgia Southeastern DeKalb County in north central Georgia Southeastern Gwinnett County in north central Georgia Southwestern Walton County in north central Georgia Northwestern Newton County in north central Georgia Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz says gusts of 60 mph are possible. Severe thunderstorm warning until 4:15pm for parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett, Walton, Newton, and Rockdale counties. Gusts to 60 mph possible. We'll be tracking this live on @wsbtv. pic.twitter.com/511sUf3Z8E — Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) June 18, 2019 On Channel 2 Action News at Noon, Nitz said that most of metro Atlanta and north Georgia are under a level 1 severe weather risk today. The main risks include heavy rain and frequent lightning, along with strong wind gusts. We're using the most advanced weather technology to pinpoint the timing and the areas that could see storms today, on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4 p.m. Clouds will hold temperatures down into the mid 80s most spots today. [DOWNLOAD: WSB-TV's Weather App for severe weather alerts] The active weather will continue through late this week before the drier and even hotter weather moves in. What Can Viewers Only Get on TV: Updated hour-by-hour cloud and rain forecast showing the timeline for showers and storms over the next few days Updated severe weather outlook and risks Updated potential rainfall amounts through the end of the week Updated long range temperature/rainfall outlook Hundreds were left without power after storms rolled through metro Atlanta on Monday. The winds from the storm knocked down a tree in front of Einstein's on the corner of Juniper and 12th Streets in Midtown, blocking a busy street. Video captured by Channel 2 Action News showed half of the restaurant's patio covered in debris.
Former Panthers, XFL star 'He Hate Me' reported missing
Former Carolina Panthers player Rod Smart, who became famous in the XFL using the nickname 'He Hate Me,' has been reported missing in South Carolina. According to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Smart’s family is extremely worried for his safety and well-being. Officials said the 42-year-old, whose real first name is Torrold, was last seen Wednesday around 10:30 a.m. in Indian Land. That's about four hours from Atlanta. Smart was reportedly driving a 2016 2016 Nissan Maxima with NC tag PJR-1759. Authorities said it’s unusual for Smart to be out of touch with his family for so long. Lancaster Co. Sheriff’s Office is asking for help to find a missing and possibly endangered man. pic.twitter.com/CojnVH4Mbg — Greg Suskin (@GSuskinWSOC9) June 18, 2019 Smart was a star running back at Western Kentucky and joined Vince McMahon's XFL football league in 2001, signing with the Las Vegas Outlaws. The league encouraged players to select fun nicknames for the back of their jerseys, and Smart famously picked, 'He Hate Me.' Smart eventually ended up signing with the Panthers, with whom he played from 2002 to 2005. Anyone with information about where Smart might be is urged to call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283-3388. Our Cox Media Group sister station WSOC-TV in Charlotte contributed to this report.
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan withdraws nomination
President Donald Trump took to Twitter Tuesday afternoon to announce his pick to fill the secretary of defense cabinet position has decided not to pursue the seat permanently. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan has withdrawn his name from consideration and will end his confirmation process. >> Read more trending news Army Secretary Mark Esper will now take over for Shanahan, Trump said on social media. Trump had nominated Shanahan back in May to take over the position permanently, Cox Media Group’s Jamie Dupree reported. The announcement came after news of an alleged domestic dispute from 2010 that involved his wife at the time. The dispute came out during an FBI background investigation, USA Today reported. In a statement released by Shanahan prior to Trump’s announcement, the now-former acting secretary said the investigation dredged up a “deeply personal family situation from long ago,” according to USA Today. Shanahan took over the cabinet position in January. Prior to that, he was the deputy secretary of defense since 2017. >> Read the latest from our Washington Insider, Jamie Dupree Prior to being named the deputy secretary of defense, Shanahan was Boeing senior vice president and oversaw supply chain and operations. He worked for the aerospace company for more than 30 years. He also the vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense systems and Boeing Rotorcraft Systems that oversaw the development of the Apache, Chinook and Osprey military helicopters. Shanahan’s final day will be Friday, Fox News reported.
