A tornado damaged homes and knocked out power in an Atlanta suburb

• A tornado caused damage and left residents without power in in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday.
• The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning on Monday morning.
• A tornado watch for Georgia and Alabama is in effect until 4 p.m.

A tornado knocked out power and damaged homes in the Atlanta suburbs Monday morning.

ABC 33/40 News meteorologist Taylor Sarallo said on Twitter that the tornado moved through "very populated areas" and "directly towards Atlanta."

The Atlanta Fire Rescue tweeted that its members had responded to calls of toppled trees in Atlanta and said there were no reported injuries.

Fox 5 Atlanta reporter Rob DiRienzo tweeted photos showing damage and debris in Fulton County.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, Georgia Power said more than 4,000 residents were without power. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms shared a photo online of fallen trees in her neighborhood in Southwest, Atlanta.

NBC Atlanta anchor Cheryl Preheim said Atlanta Public Schools students were forced to shelter as the tornado passed. NBA basketball team Portland Trailblazers who are set to play the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night said they evacuated.

Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in effect in parts of Georgia, including the Atlanta metro area, as strong storms pass through, according to the National Weather Service.

On Monday morning, the NWS issued a tornado warning in Atlanta and East Point, Georgia, and said penny-sized hail could also hit.