Paducah, Kentucky – Severe thunderstorms could disrupt evening travel across western Kentucky, southern Illinois and southeast Missouri within hours, with the strongest storms capable of producing severe weather before torrential downpours raise flooding concerns overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, thunderstorms are expected to develop and move into the region this evening, with a Level 2 of 5 severe weather risk covering much of the southern half of the area. Forecasters have the greatest confidence in severe storms across southern portions of southeast Missouri, where the atmosphere is expected to recover by early evening.
The severe threat also extends into southern Illinois, particularly south of Route 13, and across much of western Kentucky. Paducah, Mayfield, Murray, Hopkinsville and Madisonville are within the risk area, along with Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff in Missouri and Carbondale in Illinois.
Drivers should monitor conditions before traveling this evening and avoid flooded roads if heavy rain overwhelms low-lying crossings. Residents should keep phones charged and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially after dark.
Additional thunderstorms could develop overnight, but the Weather Service expects a substantially lower severe threat with that activity. Torrential rainfall could remain the primary concern into early overnight, bringing localized flooding risks. Additional warnings may be issued as storms develop and move across the region.
