Severe thunderstorms and likely tornadoes are causing damage in Florida

Severe thunderstorms and apparent tornadoes ripped through the Florida Panhandle early Tuesday, downing power lines and trees and damaging buildings.

The strong winds have damaged fences and made roads impassable. according to authorities in Panama City, Florida, where the storm passed through on Tuesday. In some areas it brought hail about the size of baseballs.

Damage was still being assessed, officials said, but they warned residents that the threat was not over. A series of severe storms were expected to follow travel through the southeast on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said, adding that this could produce more “widespread destructive wind gusts” reaching speeds of 75 miles per hour. Power outages affected some areas, including the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

Tornado warnings were in effect for parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia, and meteorologists warned people to take cover indoors, away from windows, and brace for flying debris.

“It will be a while before the entire southeastern U.S. is clear,” said Felecia Bowser, chief meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, adding that the storm is expected to clear out of Florida in the evening.

The weather service was investigating reports of structural damage, she said.

Schools in Bay County, which includes Panama City, were closed Tuesday, the local district saidadding that it is still assessing damage to structures: “We are aware of the tornado damage already in our community, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”

The severe weather is part of a weather system affecting much of the eastern third of the U.S. on Tuesday, with heavy rain expected from the Florida Panhandle to southern Maine.

Elsewhere, a powerful cold front was expected to bring heavy snow to the Pacific Northwest, while parts of the Northwest braced for snowstorms.