Monday morning got a little rowdy east and south of Memphis, as a short-fuse Special Weather Statement warned of nickel-size hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph sweeping across the suburbs. The alert targeted Collierville, Germantown, and Olive Branch and was scheduled to expire around 7:45 a.m. CDT as the storms pushed east across the Mid-South.
The National Weather Service in Memphis flagged the passing cells as capable of producing “wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail” and urged anyone in the path to move into a sturdy building and away from windows, according to the National Weather Service. Radar-indicated threats triggered the quick alert, and a map highlighting the towns just east of the city.
According to the City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management Facebook post, the message read, “EXPIRED A Special Weather Statement has been issued for Collierville, TN, Germantown, TN, and Olive Branch, MS until 7:45 AM CDT this morning ⚠️⛈️⬇️”. The post included a radar snapshot and a labeled map showing the track of the cells.
Where The Risk Was Highest
The National Weather Service statement called out Collierville, Germantown, and Olive Branch, while its map also showed nearby communities such as Bartlett, Millington, Southaven, and Horn Lake. Forecasters cautioned that the primary short-term concern was gusty winds strong enough to knock down tree limbs and toss around unsecured outdoor items, posing a nuisance for drivers and property owners in the path.
How To Stay Safe During Brief Severe Cells
If you are outside when a cell rolls through, move indoors to a sturdy building and stay away from windows until the worst has passed. Drivers are advised to slow down, avoid parking under trees, and give crews space to work if any limbs land in the roadway; check local updates before heading out.
For the latest situation and any new alerts, monitor the National Weather Service for updated statements and the City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management for real-time posts and maps. If a warning is issued, follow local emergency instructions and move to an interior room away from glass.
