Destructive winds, very large hail, and strong tornadoes are possible with a band of storms that could reach the Memphis area overnight.
The National Weather Service predicted the threat of severe storms across the area Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The storm could bring winds up to 80-plus miles per hour, and hail up to 2-plus inches. A flood watch is also in effect.
“I urge all citizens within the Mid-South area to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts,” said Brenda Jones, director of the Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. “There are mobile applications for your phone, local news coverage, and/or a NOAA Weather Radio.”
The agency said severe weather that occurs overnight is especially dangerous when tornadoes are involved. Scattered power outages and damage to trees and structures are possible due to damaging winds and lightning.
The National Weather Service Memphis has been tweeting about the potential for a damaging storm all day Wednesday. The agency went live on Facebook Wednesday afternoon to talk more in depth about the storm. Follow them on X for more details as the storm develops.
The potential storm canceled the weekly test of the tornado alert system that sounds each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
As of this afternoon, Memphis Light, Gas & Water had not made any public statement about preparations for the storm. However, the utility had retweeted several posts from other agencies, noting that they were aware of the potential of damaging weather.
