ATLANTA -- At least two deaths are reported in Georgia in the wake of severe storms, including a tornado that touched down last night in downtown Atlanta, blowing windows out of skyscrapers and injuring dozens.

Officials say one person was killed by a tornado today in Polk County, and another fatality is reported in Floyd County.

With more thunderstorms headed across Georgia, Lisa Janak of the state emergency management agency says: "We're bracing for another round of whatever Mother Nature throws at us."

More thunderstorms headed across northern Alabama toward the city Saturday. "We're bracing for another round of whatever Mother Nature throws at us," said Lisa Janak of the state emergency management agency.

A tornado touched down Saturday in Polk County on the Alabama line, killing one person, Janak said. She had no other details, and the National Weather Service had not confirmed the second tornado.

The National Weather Service posted a tornado watch for a large area of Georgia, including the Atlanta area, plus portions of South Carolina and Alabama, and a warning was issued for a part of northern Alabama.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin declared a state of emergency in the city on Saturday and urged people to stay indoors.

All events scheduled for downtown Atlanta on Saturday, including a St. Patrick's Day parade, were canceled.

EF2 Tornado Confirmed

Saturday morning the National Weather Service confirmed that the storm was an EF2 strength tornado that stretched for six miles and tore a path through downtown Atlanta. An EF2 tornado brings winds of between 120 and 130 mph.

The tornado smashed skyscraper windows, sucked furniture and luggage out of hotel rooms, crumbled part of an apartment building and rattled the rafters of two major sports arenas filled with basketball fans.

Streets around the Georgia Dome, the Phillips Arena, the CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park were littered with broken glass and other debris.

The Atlanta Fire Department was working "multiple incidents," said Capt. Bill May.

Part of a loft apartment building -- built in an old cotton mill -- had severe damage to one corner, and appeared to have major roof damage. Fire officials said it "pancaked," and they were uncertain whether all the occupants had escaped.

The property manager for the lofts said there was one minor injury.

Most of the damage from the storm was concentrated in downtown Atlanta. Power was knocked out to about 19,000 customers.

"It was crazy. There was a lot of windows breaking and stuff falling," said Terrence Evans, a valet who was about to park a car at the Omni Hotel when the apparent twister hit.

A tornado warning had been issued for downtown a few minutes before.

A spokesman for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said at least 27 people were taken to area hospitals, although none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the most recent tornado to hit a major city's downtown was on Aug. 12, 2004, in Jacksonville, Fla. Downtown tornadoes have also struck Fort Worth, Texas; Salt Lake City, Little Rock, Ark.; and Nashville, Tenn., in the past decade.

Friday night's tornado is the first in recorded history to hit downtown Atlanta, according to the National Weather Service. The last tornado to strike inside the city was in 1975, and it hit the governor's mansion north of downtown.

Storm Forces SEC Move

The damage to the Georgia Dome has forced the Southeastern Conference to move the rest of its college basketball tournament to Georgia Tech's basketball arena.

The storm tore holes in the fabric roof of the Georgia Dome during a game between Alabama and Mississippi State Friday night and sent small chunks of insulation crashing on to the court. The game was stopped for more than an hour before Mississippi State won in overtime.

"I thought it was a tornado or a terrorist attack," said Mississippi State guard Ben Hansbrough.

"Ironically, the guy behind me got a phone call saying there was a tornado warning," fan Lisa Lynn said. "And in two seconds, we heard the noise and things started to shake. It was creepy."

A half-mile away, the sign of the Phillips Arena parking garage was left mangled by the storm, but basketball fans inside the arena noticed little disruption during a game between the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers.

Georgia Tech's arena has a much smaller capacity than the Georgia Dome. The move means only players' families, cheerleaders, bands and those with working credentials were allowed to attend the games.

The conference said it will offer ticket refunds to thousands of fans who won't be allowed in.