High risk of tornadoes in the southern US 1:53
(CNN) -
Tornadoes hit the deep south of the United States after a line of storms moved through the region on Wednesday.
They are part of a system that is expected to continue further to the southeast and east coast on Thursday, leaving millions at risk from severe weather conditions.
At least 23 preliminary reports of tornadoes in five states were tracked Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center, with the most damage apparently from storms in Alabama and Mississippi.
A confirmed "large and extremely dangerous" tornado was seen near Shelton State Community College south of Tuscaloosa at 2:45 pm, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama.
At least 37 homes were damaged by storms in the Alabama cities of Moundville and Akron in Hale County, according to county emergency manager Russ Weeden.
Tornado damage in Moundville, Alabama, on March 17, 2021.
Further east, at least a dozen damaged areas in the Birmingham, Alabama area are being investigated, according to the National Weather Service.
In southwestern Alabama, two people were injured when their home was destroyed by the storm.
Four other homes in the area were damaged.
A possible tornado that made landfall in Wayne County in eastern Mississippi damaged two homes and left roads blocked due to debris, according to Angela Atchison of Wayne County Emergency Management.
No injuries have been reported.
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Thursday's biggest storm threat is now moving east into parts of the southeastern United States, including Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Tens of millions under storm warnings
They record destruction of a huge tornado in Tuscaloosa 1:52
An estimated 45 million people will be threatened by severe storms Thursday, from the Ohio Valley to southern Florida, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Tornadoes, some of which can be intense, will be of concern along with damaging winds and hail, according to CNN meteorologist Michael Guy.
The worst of the severe weather hits the Carolinas and parts of central and southern Georgia in the late morning.
There is an elevated risk of strong tornado development for more than 8 million from southeastern Georgia through the Carolinas to the northern Outer Banks.
An area of greater concern is the coastal area of the Carolinas that straddles the state line between North Carolina and South Carolina, and includes Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.
As the storm line progresses throughout the day, there is a risk that it will gain more energy and become more violent, according to Guy.
Other places to watch for stronger tornadoes Thursday include Raleigh / Durham, Savannah, Georgia, and Columbia, South Carolina.
Another line of storms will develop in the late afternoon from the Ohio Valley and Northern Kentucky and push into the Appalachians of West Virginia and Virginia.
The system won't stay organized for long.
But the potential for dangerous weather conditions will continue into the wee hours of the night, Guy said.
The southern end of the storm line will hit the Florida Panhandle and move into Central Florida until the early hours of the night.
The risk of high winds, dangerous lightning, hail, and tornadoes will continue through the night.
Schools and vaccine centers brace for storms
North Georgia areas and the greater Atlanta area are anticipating storms in the morning, prompting Atlanta schools to move to virtual classes on Thursday.
"Due to anticipated inclement weather overnight and in the morning, including the possibility of heavy rain, damaging winds and tornadoes, Atlanta Public Schools will hold virtual classes on Thursday, March 18," the district announced Wednesday night.
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Covid-19 vaccine distribution has also been disrupted by the storm line, with DeKalb County in the Atlanta metropolitan area announcing its schedule changes.
Georgia National Security and Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) mass vaccination sites plan to delay opening or alter their hours to avoid severe weather.
"Our first concern is the safety of staff and patients at these outdoor sites," said Chris Stallings, director of GEMA / HS.
“We are asking for the public's cooperation as we adjust our schedules.
And we want to assure those who have an appointment that they will reschedule quickly if necessary. "
CNN's Kay Jones and Brandon Miller contributed to this report.
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