Residents of the Mid-South should gear up for another round of inclement weather as forecasts indicate that severe storms are due to roll through the area Wednesday night, with the potential for dangerous conditions including damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes. FOX13 Memphis reports a varied weather pattern for Wednesday with the likelihood of isolated storms in the early hours, a brief afternoon respite, and a significant escalation into stormy conditions by evening.
Moreover, a previous bout of wild weather led to power outages across the region, notably affecting over 7,500 individuals on Sunday night. While service has since been restored to most areas, Memphis Light, Gas and Water is bracing its customers for the possibility of fresh outages. As Doug McGowen, president of Memphis Light, Gas and Water, declared in a statement obtained by Action News 5, an ancient oak's descent already precariously interrupted the power supply in the Raleigh Bartlett area by felling a vital triple circuit. Residents are encouraged to proactively report any outages and downed trees to Memphis Light, Gas and Water and Public Works as more inclement weather approaches.
According to the local weather services, a "Level 2 out of 5 risk" for severe storms is in place for regions south of I-40, with Memphis and counties north of the interstate such as Shelby, Crittenden, and Desoto bearing a "Level 3 out of 5 risk." The primary threats identified are damaging wind and large hail, while tornadoes lurk as a secondary concern. Action News 5's forecast also highlights a chain of scattered showers and storms that could persist from midnight through the following morning.
The escalation in storm activity is anticipated to be the "most robust severe weather threat" for the spring season according to WREG. The station underscores the importance for families to wholly review and prepare their emergency plans in anticipation of the weather. The storms are predicted to make their way across the region predominantly in the post-sunset hours, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., violently pressing from northwest to southeast. As these conditions swiftly approach, staying alert and adhering to safety instructions could very well be the difference between harm's way and the shroud of safety.
