The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a Flood Watch that will go into effect this evening and last through Saturday morning due to anticipated excessive rainfall across a broad region. According to the forecast received from the National Weather Service, several counties in East Arkansas, North Mississippi, Southeast Missouri, and West Tennessee are set to expect significant precipitation that could lead to flooding in various areas.
Residents have been cautioned to be on alert for potential Flood Warnings, as flooding could rapidly occur in poor drainage and urban zones. The watch is a proactive measure, necessitated by forecasted rainfall amounts that could exceed two to three inches in certain locales. An advisory on the NWS website stated flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. Given the likelihood of heavy downpours tonight and continuous showers forecasted till Saturday, preparations to safely manage to potentially quickly rise water levels are advised to already be in place.
The detailed forecast outlines a sunny day today with a high near 79, but the weather will take a turn tonight. Showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 am. This pattern is predicted to persist into Friday, with some storms potentially producing heavy rainfall. A high near 66, along with breezy conditions, is expected Friday with west-northwest winds around 20 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation for Friday stands high at 90% with a new rainfall amount between two and three inches possible.
Residents in the affected regions should remain vigilant, especially since several counties are at an elevated risk of experiencing considerable flooding impacts. The Flood Watch spans a large area, including cities such as Memphis, Jackson, and Ripley TN, outlining the geographic scale of the anticipated weather event. NWS advises those living in areas that are prone to flooding to be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
