A fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms swept across the Mid South on Monday morning, prompting a warning that stretched over Memphis, Bartlett and Southaven through 10:00 a.m. CDT. The storms arrived with the potential to snap limbs, knock out power, and turn driving into a risky proposition, so emergency officials urged everyone to head indoors and stay tuned to official alerts as the weather moved through.
What forecasters warned
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, the line of storms carried a wind threat up to 60 mph along with the chance for pea-sized hail. Forecasters noted that gusts in that range can uproot trees and tear at roofs. The agency also kept a Flood Watch in place and cautioned that storms riding along a stalled frontal boundary could repeatedly hit the same locations, creating pockets of flash flooding across parts of the region.
Areas at risk
A Facebook update from the City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management spelled out just how wide the footprint was. The warning specifically included Memphis, Bartlett, and Southaven, along with map labels such as Turrell, Clarkedale, Millington, and Marion. The post estimated that more than 1.14 million people were inside the warning area and noted that 21 hospitals and 312 schools fell within the potential exposure zone. Officials said the alert would remain in effect through 10:00 a.m. CDT and urged residents to skip outdoor activities while the storms passed.
Safety and what to do
The National Weather Service in Memphis advises heading inside, staying away from windows, and putting off travel during the worst of the storms. People in the path are encouraged to secure loose outdoor items, bring pets indoors, and be ready for brief power outages. If you run into standing water on the road, turn around and take another route. Keep phone alerts turned on and monitor updates from local emergency management and weather services in case conditions change.
