Nashville, TN – A tornado watch has been issued for large portions of western and middle Tennessee, remaining in effect through midnight Wednesday, as forecasters warn of potential severe storms.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, Tornado Watch 98 was issued at 2:50 p.m. CDT and will remain active until 12:00 a.m. CDT Thursday. The alert includes 26 counties across the state, spanning from the Mississippi River to areas just west of Nashville.
Counties under the tornado watch include: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Houston, Humphreys, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion, Perry, Shelby, Stewart, Tipton, and Weakley.
The watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area. Residents in the affected counties are urged to remain weather aware throughout the evening and have multiple methods of receiving weather warnings.
Meteorologists advise keeping cell phones charged, having access to NOAA weather radios, and identifying the safest location in the home, such as a basement or interior room on the lowest floor, in case a warning is issued.
As of Wednesday afternoon, a line of strong storms was beginning to develop across portions of Arkansas and northern Mississippi, expected to move into western Tennessee later in the evening hours.
Additional updates will be issued by local National Weather Service offices as the situation evolves. Emergency management officials encourage Tennesseans to review their severe weather safety plans and take shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued in their area.
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