Paducah, Kentucky – Severe thunderstorms are rolling through the Mid-South early Friday, with more than 3 million residents under threat of damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes through 9 a.m. CDT.
According to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 9 a.m. for portions of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. The storms are expected to intensify rapidly, producing wind gusts up to 70 mph, hail up to 2 inches in diameter, and the potential for a couple of tornadoes.
Communities from Jonesboro and Poplar Bluff to Paducah, Evansville, and Bowling Green could see scattered power outages and dangerous travel conditions. Interstate 40, I-55, and I-69 are all within the impacted zone. In Kentucky, schools and early commuters in cities like Hopkinsville and Murray should monitor local alerts closely.
Residents are urged to charge devices, secure loose outdoor items, and remain indoors during warnings. These storms may develop quickly and move northeast with little advance notice.
The storm threat should begin to ease by late morning, but additional weather statements could follow. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or local outlets for updates.
