Flights were temporarily delayed at the world's busiest airport shortly after a tornado touched down near Atlanta as heavy storms continued to sweep across large parts of the South.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport spokesman Reese McCranie says flights were delayed for about 15 minutes Wednesday, before allowing them to depart.

Meteorologist Keith Stellman says a tornado was spotted on radar about seven miles north of Atlanta. There were some reports of downed power lines, trees and some roof damage west of Atlanta.

Atlanta fire Sgt. Cortez Stafford says there was a tree that caught on fire as a result of power lines being down.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries.

Five people were killed in a suspected tornado that swept across parts of Alabama and Tennessee early Wednesday.