Tag: storm

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Severe Weather, Excessive Rainfall Continue Through Sunday

Credit: National Weather Service Memphis

We may be done with severe weather but it’s not done with us, apparently. 

An early-Friday-morning briefing from the National Weather Service at Memphis (NWS) says “a dangerous weather pattern will continue through the weekend. Catastrophic flooding, along with severe storms, will impact the Mid-South.”

Credit: National Weather Service Memphis

This storm system has already caused five deaths in West Tennessee. It has dumped around 4 to 6 inches of rain on Memphis already. 

Credit: National Weather Service Memphis

“Generational flooding” is expected in the area as the storm delivers more rain on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This could deliver up to 10 inches of rain to areas along and north of I-40 through the weekend. If “generational flooding” was not enough to concern you, the NWS Memphis also predicts the storm could yield “catastrophic flooding.”

Credit: National Weather Service Memphis

However, Memphis fares better in the NWS outlook for Friday than other areas. The agency predicts moderate chances of severe weather, damaging winds, tornados, large hail, and excessive rainfall compared to other areas. 

Saturday, though, brings an increased risk for all of those here, especially excessive rainfall. 

Credit: National Weather Service Memphis

Even when the storm system moves on, its effects will remain in the Shelby County watershed. The briefing predicts an above moderate flood risk for the Wolf River. But it predicts an “above major flood” for the Loosahatchie River, which runs through Frayser and more. 

Credit: National Weather Service Memphis

Water levels in the Mississippi River began rising Thursday and are expected to continue until April 15th. River levels had sunk to around five feet early Thursday morning. By Friday morning, levels climbed to nearly 13 feet. The NWS predicts river levels will rise continually, peaking at around 36 feet by mid-April. 

Credit: National Weather Service Memphis

Gov. Lee Surveys West Tennessee storm damage

Credit: State of Tennessee

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee surveyed storm damage in McNairy County Thursday evening after severe storms ripped through part of West and Middle Tennessee. 

Lee immediately issued an Emergency Declaration, which was quickly approved by the Trump Adminstration. 

Crews in several Tennessee counties continued to survey storm damage Friday and search sites for evidence of tornadoes. 

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At Least 5 killed In Severe Storms in West Tennessee; Tornado Assessments Begin

Body camera footage shows Tennessee troopers, McNairy County deputies, Selmer Police officers and firefighters searching the debris of a home for trapped or hurt survivors after severe storms battered West Tennessee in the early morning hours of April 3, 2025. (Photo: Tennessee Highway Patrol)

A chain of severe storms and a possible tornado killed at least five people across West Tennessee early Thursday.

The storms left a path of major damage in Fayette, Hardeman and McNairy counties, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). An EF-3 tornado struck the town of Selmer, Tennessee, according to preliminary surveys from crews deployed by the National Weather Service Memphis.

Residents of West and Middle Tennessee received multiple severe storm, tornado and flood warnings throughout Wednesday night into the early morning hours Thursday. 

The National Weather Service issued more than 70 severe thunderstorm warnings, more than 50 tornado warnings and 21 flash flood warnings in the last 24 hours, TEMA reported Thursday afternoon.

NWS received reports of observed tornadoes and damage for seven of those tornado-warned storms.

State officials warn that “generational flooding” — flooding so severe it happens once a generation or once a lifetime  — continues to pose a threat to multiple counties in Middle and West Tennessee as multiple rounds of heavy rain are forecast to stretch into Sunday. 

Rain totals could reach at least 10 inches in areas of West Tennessee north of Interstate 40 by the end of the weekend, according to National Weather Service Memphis. The northwest corner of the state could see up to 15 total inches of rain.

Gov. Bill Lee requested an Emergency Declaration for Tennessee and TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan issued a State of Emergency Wednesday evening in anticipation of the severe storms and flooding. 

Lee’s request includes federal assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance.

President Donald Trump approved Lee’s request around 11 a.m. Thursday, making FEMA assistance available to all 95 Tennessee counties. Under the declaration, FEMA can provide equipment and resources to support emergency response, and direct federal assistance under the public assistance program will be provided at 75 percent federal funding, according to the agency.

The state remains under a level 3 State of Emergency status, which allows state resources to support local requests for assistance following severe weather while continuing to provide support for ongoing Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts in East Tennessee.

Five deaths, multiple injuries reported

At least five people have been reported dead, state and local officials confirmed.

The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed one death each in McNairy County, Obion County and Carroll County.

A 48-year-old man was pronounced dead in Fayette County around 2 a.m. Thursday after the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting a tornado had overturned a modular home, according to the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency.

Four other family members were transported to a nearby hospital, two in critical condition and two in stable condition. The man’s 16-year-old daughter later died at the hospital, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Tornado damage assessments begin

NWS Memphis does not yet have an exact number of confirmed tornadoes from Thursday morning’s severe weather event.

Teams are assessing tornado damage in Selmer, Tennessee and Lake City, Arkansas to confirm and classify the strength of tornadoes, according to NWS Memphis.

Selmer saw an EF-3 tornado with peak winds estimated at 160 miles per hour, according to preliminary survey results released by NWS Memphis Thursday afternoon. The agency suspended further surveys of the area out of concern for surveyors’ safety in ongoing storms.

In Arkansas, the preliminary survey shows Lake City also saw an EF-3 tornado with top winds around 150 miles per hour.

Ratings could change after surveys are complete, NWS Memphis stated.

The agency received additional reports of tornados in the region from spotters and radar but crews have not yet been able to survey damage or confirm.

Tennessee Highway Patrol deployed a strike team to McNairy County to support local officials, according to TEMA.

“My heart breaks for our city and county at this time,” Selmer Mayor Sherry Inman stated in a social media post expressing gratitude for those who have offered assistance or prayers. “Please continue to pray for all the families and homes that have been lost.”

State officials report power outages, roads blocked by water or debris

About 9,700 power outage reports remained active statewide as of 11:30 a.m. Thursday, according to TEMA. This is down from more than 15,400 outages reported as of 4 a.m.

Communications systems are experiencing problems in McNairy County and TEMA is working with local officials to remedy the situation.

Customers served by the Grand Junction Water Department in Hardeman County do not have water. The Henderson Water Department in Chester County is under a boil water advisory.

Multiple roads throughout Middle and West Tennessee have been impacted by downed trees and power lines and flooding, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Crews are working to clean up debris. 

Excessive rainfall to come

Excessive rainfall continued Thursday with the “bullseye” of enhanced risk storms encompassing most of West Tennessee from Memphis to Clarksville along Interstate 40. Widespread flash floods were expected, according to NWS Memphis.

Most areas of Middle and West Tennessee have seen between 3-5 inches of rain over the last 18 hours, with some areas nearing 7 inches, according to TEMA. Another 3-4 inches was forecast for Thursday evening, and 5-7 inches are projected on Saturday.

Severe weather forecasts also include continued tornado, large hail and damaging wind threats in addition to flood risks.

This is a developing story.

Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.

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Damaging Storm Predicted for Memphis Area

Credit: National Weather Service Memphis

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.  

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MLGW: Damaged Infrastructure Complicates Power Restoration

CREDIT: MLGW

MLGW

MLGW president J.T. Young on site with restoration crew

As the number of Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) customers without power as a result of Monday morning’s storm dropped to just under 2,700 Wednesday, the utility’s officials say damage to its infrastructure will “complicate” further restoration efforts.

Monday’s storm, which initially left 43,000 customers without power, brought winds of up to 65 miles per hour through parts of the city, with a moderate or EF-1 tornado hitting in some areas.

MLGW said Wednesday that the tornado hit one of its sub-station’s “complex infrastructure,” which “complicates restoration efforts.” The utility also said that its crews continue to find damage in the Parkway Village area. There, many properties have line damage, which the utility said can be time consuming to repair.

“MLGW crews will work quickly, safely, and around the clock to restore services,” the utility said.

MLGW noted that tree parts must be cleared from power lines before crews can begin repairing them. Additionally, customers with damaged meters must have them repaired by an electrician before power can be restored to their homes.

A total of 26 crews from other areas have joined MLGW’s crews in restoration efforts.

Assistance

The Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Office, the City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management, and the American Red Cross Mid-South Chapter are opening a resource center to assist those affected by the storm.

The Multi-Agency Resource Center is located at Olivet Baptist Church, 4450 Knight Arnold Road. The center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 24th and Friday, October 25th and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 26th.

Additionally, for displaced residents, the American Red Cross has opened a 24-hour shelter at the Marian Hale Community Center, 4791 Willow Road.

To report storm damage, residents can complete a Shelby County Storm Damage Report here.

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MLGW: 85 Percent of Power Restored, Remaining Work Will be “Tedious”

CREDIT: MLGW

MLGW

Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) officials said Tuesday afternoon that 85 percent of customers’ power has been restored following Monday morning’s storm.

Approximately 6,500 customers are still without power, down from 43,000 early Monday. Crews comprised of about 600 personnel are “actively working” to restore power, the utility said.

The remaining restoration efforts will focus first on schools and heavily impacted areas. The utility said moving forward the work will be “more tedious as we continue to assess widespread outages in Shelby County.” 

MLGW also said there is “extensive damage” that must be repaired before power can be restored in some areas. Repairs include resetting damaged poles, restringing fallen and torn wires, and cutting and removing tree parts.

Residents who have damaged meters are required to have them repaired before power can be restored.

To report a power outage, customers can call 901-544-6500. For an emergency such as gas leaks or downed electrical lines, customers should call 901-528-4465.



View MLGW’s outage map here. 

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MLGW: Power Restoration Will be Multi-Day Process

CREDIT: MLGW

MLGW

After Monday morning’s storm that brought winds of up to 65 miles per hour, Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) officials say they are working to restore power to some 30,000 customers “as quickly and as safely as possible.”

J.T. Young, MLGW CEO and president said that the storm caused significant damage, initially leaving close to 43,000 customers without power.

Because of the large number of substations down, as well as multiple downed poles, wires, and trees, Young said that full restoration could take multiple days.

However, the goal is to restore 80 percent of lost power by midnight. Additional crews are expected to join the 42 MLGW crews already working later today to assist with the restoration process.


“There’s a lot of damage, as you might imagine, from this storm around Shelby County, really spread out across the county” Young said.

The utility still does not know the full impact of the storm and will continue to assess the damage, Young added.

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“We understand it’s not convenient when we have these challenges,” Young said. “Just make sure you’re taking your time as you travel and get around the community. We’re doing the best we can to get everyone restored as quickly and as safely as possible.”

See MLGW’s video below to find out more about the restoration process.

MLGW: Power Restoration Will be Multi-Day Process

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X-Men: Days of Future Past: Mutatis mutan(t)dis

I forgot how thrilling the X-Men movies were until the moment in Days of Future Past when a Sentinel robot shattered Iceman’s head. So I wasn’t surprised to discover that the fifth (or seventh) installment in the franchise is as casually creative and proudly pseudo-profound as its predecessors. With the exception of a few moments of lachrymose speechifying, its unrelenting, almost sadistic intensity makes it the summer’s most ruthlessly efficient blockbuster. You will be entertained. Resistance is futile.

Although I confess an irrational fondness for Brett Ratner’s X-Men: The Last Stand, bringing back two-time X-Men director Bryan Singer for Days of Future Past was a wise choice. His third entry (after the original X-Men and its first sequel) in the series satisfies serious fan expectations and respects the cinematic universe built by the previous four films. And if you don’t look too closely or think too hard, he also straightens out the previous tetralogy’s knotty timelines, gaps, and inconsistencies.

A movie this size is a big undertaking, and at times it creaks like some superhero version of It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. The army of recognizable faces in Days of Future Past is formidable: we see old and young Magneto (Ian McKellan and Michael Fassbender), old and young Professor X (Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy), new Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), old Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page), old Storm (Halle Berry), and more fresh faces and peripheral favorites. At the center of this mutant whirlwind stands Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), an immortal tough guy for whom history is a nightmare from which he cannot awaken.

In Days of Future Past, Pryde sends Wolverine’s consciousness back to the 1970s in an effort to avoid the nightmarish future the surviving mutants now live in, where they are hunted down and obliterated by the sleek, chain-mailed Sentinels. But the fight scenes are only part of the show. Singer’s film is also a poppy, propellant gloss on Jean Renoir’s famous observation from The Rules of The Game: “The awful thing about life is this: everyone has their reasons.”

Take Magneto, whose hostility is partially rooted in his belief that fearful humans will wipe out his mutant brothers. Or take scientist and industrialist Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage). Trask believes that mutants will do the same to humans because that’s the way evolution works. And don’t forget the eternal optimist Charles Xavier, who continues to believe in human decency and human hope even when he’s a drug-addled, powerless version of his former self. Each of them is, at some point in the film, doing the right thing.

Although its most fully realized set piece is a funny slow-motion musical interlude inspired by the 2006 animated film Over The Hedge, Days of Future Past is the most serious film in the X-Men cosmology. There’s not much time for verbal grace notes, but there are plenty of visual ones, from Wolverine’s gray-streaked temples to an army of Sentinels spreading out over a stormy sky like skydiver-shaped warheads. It traduces history because its whole premise is that history is changeable bunk, and for a global $300 million smash hit, it gets awfully dark before the dawn. Good stuff.