Strong storms are moving across parts of Georgia Thursday morning, bringing the threat of damaging winds, heavy rain and possible brief tornadoes.

The National Weather Service says a Tornado Watch remains in effect until 9 a.m. for parts of central and east-central Georgia, even as the threat begins to shift east.

Earlier Thursday, the watch covered a much larger portion of the state. However, the National Weather Service cancelled the tornado watch for 19 counties in north-central and west-central Georgia as storms moved out of those areas.

Counties where the watch has been cancelled include Clayton, Fayette, Henry and Rockdale in the metro Atlanta area, along with Coweta, Harris, Muscogee, Troup, Spalding and several others in west-central Georgia. Cities such as Columbus, Peachtree City, Griffin and Newnan are no longer under the watch.

Tornado watch continues for central and east-central Georgia

Forecasters say 23 counties in central Georgia remain under the tornado watch until 9 a.m., including Bibb, Houston, Baldwin, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam and Twiggs counties.

Communities such as Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville, Cordele, Forsyth and Hawkinsville remain within the watch area.

The National Weather Service has also expanded the watch eastward to include 17 counties in central and east-central Georgia, including Dodge, Laurens, Emanuel, Washington, Wilkes and Jefferson counties. Cities such as Dublin, Vidalia, Sandersville and Swainsboro are now included in the watch.

Storm threats still include damaging winds and heavy rain

CBS News Atlanta meteorologist Troy Bridges said a line of strong to severe thunderstorms continues to move east across the region.

Radar shows storms moving at about 35 mph, with the potential to produce damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, small hail and isolated tornadoes.

Earlier Thursday morning, a tornado warning was issued for parts of Marion, Chattahoochee and Webster counties, though that warning expired shortly before 6 a.m. after the immediate tornado threat weakened.

Even where the tornado threat is decreasing, the National Weather Service warns the storms could still produce frequent lightning, heavy rain and strong winds capable of damaging trees, roofs and siding.

Bridges also says localized flooding could develop during the morning commute in areas hit by heavier downpours. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form, while a tornado warning means a tornado has been detected by radar or spotted on the ground.

The severe weather threat is expected to gradually diminish later Thursday morning as the storm system continues moving east across Georgia.

Georgia school delays, closings 

Several school districts across Georgia are delaying the start of classes on Thursday because of the threat of severe weather.

Officials with the Meriwether County School System announced a 2-hour delay, citing the approaching storm system and the possibility of severe weather. School buses will run two hours behind their normal schedule, and grab-and-go breakfast will be available for students upon arrival.

The Troup County School System also announced a 2-hour delay out of an abundance of caution due to updated forecasts showing possible severe weather. Bus schedules will run 2 hours behind normal times, and breakfast will be available for students when they arrive.

Meanwhile, Rockdale County Public Schools said all schools will operate on a 2-hour delay because of the tornado watch in the area. Officials said normal operations will resume on the delayed schedule, and dismissal times will remain unchanged.

Residents are urged to stay alert to changing weather conditions and monitor updates from local officials and the National Weather Service.

Stay with CBS News Atlanta for the latest weather updates.

HALL COUNTY, Ga. – As a community mourns the death of Jason Hughes, the 18-year-old accused in his death has pledged to live the rest of his life in memory of his former teacher, according to a statement released by his family.  

What they’re saying:

Jayden Ryan Wallace faces felony charges of first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving after a Mar. 6 prank that turned fatal.

Deputies said the incident happened around 11:40 p.m. after Hughes caught a group of teenagers throwing toilet paper across his yard. When Hughes ran to catch the teens as they were fleeing, he slipped on wet pavement into the path of a vehicle driven by Wallace.  

Authorities said the group stayed with Hughes, trying to help him, until he was taken to a hospital.

Wallace’s family said Coach Hughes “meant the world” to him, and they are in “deep remorse and grieving” over his loss.

Wallace expressed his sorrow over what happened that night when he and four other teenagers had pulled a prank on Hughes, who taught at North Hall High School.

“I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the memory of Coach Hughes by exemplifying Christ. He will never be forgotten,” Wallace said. 

Dig deeper:

Hughes’ brother-in-law, Ben Palmer, said the family believes his death was a tragic accident and has called for the charges to be dropped against the teens.

In a written message to media outlets, Palmer said Hughes was aware the students were coming to his home and was excited about the prank.

Additionally, Palmer said that Hughes loved the students involved and did not want their lives permanently affected by the incident.

“We are thankful for the outpouring of prayers and support as we grieve the loss of Jason. We ask that you continue to pray for our family and also for the students involved in the accident, along with their families. Please join us in extending grace and mercy to them as Christ has done for us,” the Hughes family said in a statement.

School district officials said Hughes was beloved by his students and colleagues as the community continues to mourn his passing.

What you can do:

A GoFundMe in memory of Hughes has raised nearly half a million dollars as of Mar. 11.

To see the fundraiser, click here. 

Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here’s what’s breaking this morning:

Nicole Fallert here, wishing I were frolicking in this superbloom. Wednesday’s headlines begin with a Georgia special election and then we’ll talk about that Team USA World Baseball Classic loss.

Who will replace Marjorie Taylor Greene?

Trump-endorsed Republican Clay Fuller, a former prosecutor, came in second among a field of more than a dozen candidates in Georgia’s special election on Tuesday to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene, who resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives in January after months of clashing with the president.

Retired Brigadier General Shawn Harris, one of just three Democrats on the ballot, topped the votes after consolidating most of his party’s support. But neither candidate received the required threshold under Georgia law of more than 50% to win outright. That means the two are headed for an April 7 runoff election.