Story Created:
Oct 8, 2009 at 4:20 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 25, 2010 at 2:10 PM CDT
A TORNADO WATCH is in effect until 3AM for Western Kentucky, NW Tennessee, Most of SE Missouri, and the Ohio River Counties of Southern Illinois.
The Weather Authority has been tracking the threat for severe storms and heavy rain with flooding potential as we move into Thursday Night and Friday.
A strong storm system will begin to cross the area late Thursday night (after 9pm) and create an unstable atmosphere that could lead to strong to severe thunderstorms overnight. This is most likely to happen in Western Kentucky and NW Tennessee. Any storms that do develop would have the threat of damaging winds and tornadoes along with them.
The National Weather Service in Paducah, Memphis, and St. Louis has issued Flood and Flash Flood Watches for areas along and northwest of the Ohio Rivers. This includes Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, and the Missouri Bootheel... NW Tennessee has also been included in the watch area. Rainfall totals in these areas are expected to reach between 2-4 inches, with localized higher amounts. The storm system responsible for the heavy rain will move slowly at first across these areas then pick up speed as it moves east.
In Western Kentucky and Northwest Tennessee, up to 2 inches of rain is possible and may also cause areas of flash flooding after heavy rain earlier in the week has saturated the ground. We will monitor the situation to see if these areas will need to be included in the Flash Flood Watch as the system approaches. In addition, some storms may be strong or perhaps even severe for a time with gusty winds and an isolated tornado possible... particularly from SE Missouri into Southern Illinois.
It is advised that you prepare now before the rain begins by clearing drainage ditches near your property and checking your daily driving route for flood-prone roadways, in the case you need to take an alternate route.
Remember that flash flooding is occurring, water rises very quickly and can catch you off guard. Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. It can be difficult to see if water is moving or how deep it is, especially after nightfall. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to move a vehicle. The National Weather Service campaign puts it best..."Turn Around, Don't Drown".
