UPDATE: Warnings issued for Bay, Walton, Washington

3:30 p.m. update: The severe thunderstorm warning for Bay and Washington counties have expired as of 3:30 p.m. CST. A tornado watch is expected to be issued for Franklin County.

Earlier:

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Bay, Walton and Washington counties, and damage has been reported in Walton County.

The line of severe storms downed a large tree that is blocking the southbound lane of U.S. 331 in the Liberty Hill area, the emergency manager reported at 2:25 p.m.

The warning is in effect until 3:30 p.m. CST. The storms are moving east at 35 mph.

The public reported to the National Weather Service a waterspout about 5 miles offshore Panama City Beach, but it dissipated before reaching shore.

A tornado watch is still in effect for Panhandle counties west of the Apalachicola River until 5 p.m. CST.

According to the alert issued by the National Weather Service southeast winds have increased ahead of a coming cold front.

Severe weather, including sea swells of up to 6 feet and thunderstorms are also predicted this evening, though they are expected to quickly subside on Friday morning, according to the alert.

Check back later for more updates.