Memphis, Tennessee – Drivers across the Mid-South could face sudden road hazards and power outages after 4 p.m. Sunday as a fast-moving line of severe storms sweeps west to east toward the Mississippi River and into West Tennessee.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, storms are expected to develop in eastern Arkansas by late afternoon and move into the Memphis metro area during the evening hours, continuing east across the Tennessee River before midnight. The system carries the potential for wind gusts up to 80 mph and isolated tornadoes capable of reaching EF-2 strength.
The highest risk covers much of the Mid-South, including Memphis, Jonesboro, Dyersburg, Jackson, and Paragould, with storms tracking toward Union City, Paris, and western Middle Tennessee later Sunday night. Communities south of the metro, including Clarksdale, Oxford, and Tupelo, could also see damaging wind and large hail as storms intensify.
Strong winds may snap tree limbs, knock down power lines, and damage vehicles or roofs, especially along open highways like I-40 and I-55 where crosswinds can quickly become dangerous.
Emergency managers urge residents to secure outdoor objects, charge mobile devices, and enable weather alerts before storms arrive. Anyone under a tornado warning should move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
Storm activity should exit the region by midnight Sunday, but additional watches or warnings may be issued as the line approaches the Mississippi River late Sunday afternoon.
