ATLANTA (AP) — A slow-moving storm system could dump several inches of rain in some parts of the South, prompting flood watches, forecasters said Tuesday.

Two dozen counties in north Georgia will be under a flood watch through Friday morning, where some rainfall amounts could eclipse 5 inches (13 centimeters), according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rains were already soaking large parts of Mississippi and Alabama early Tuesday.

The system also has the potential to spawn a few tornadoes in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Wednesday. Damaging wind gusts and hail will also be threats.

Large parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle were in an area most at risk of severe weather on Wednesday. The area is home to more than 9 million people and includes several large cities such as New Orleans and Birmingham, Ala.

The threat of severe weather shifts east on Thursday, when damaging storms will be possible across northern Florida and large parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.