Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Greenville, S.C. (WACH, AP) - A tornado watch is in effect until 11 p.m. in the Greenville-Spartanburg area, according to the National Weather Service.

The watch affects the following counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, and York.

Residents in the Upstate should prepare for hazardous weather conditions.

The threat of severe storms will linger into Saturday morning.

Midlands residents can expect to see scatttered thunderstorms late Friday night ahead of a strong cold front.

There is a slight chance that some of these storms will become severe with large hail and damaging straight line winds being the main severe threat.

According to the Associated Press, Indiana authorities say at least three people have been killed by tornadoes raking the southern portion of the state.

Indiana Department of Homeland Security Spokesman John Erickson confirms three deaths in Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Department dispatcher Shelly Jones says houses are missing near the unincorporated town of Chelsea, about 30 miles north of Louisville, Ky.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)