People in the northern part of Rockdale County were ordered to evacuate and others were told to shelter in place with windows and doors closed.

For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep windows and doors shut,” a statement said.

Some residents east of Atlanta are still sheltering in place on Monday, while more than 17,000 have been evacuated a day after a fire at a chemical plant produced lingering dark smoke and haze in the air that could be seen from miles away.