Following last weekend’s storms, another round of severe weather is set to impact mid Tennessee and Kentucky this week. Late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning will bring the next significant threat, with damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes possible.
As of Monday afternoon, most of Middle Tennessee and all of Southern Kentucky are under a Level 3 out of 5 severe weather risk. The highest threat is concentrated in the northwest counties of the Midstate, where conditions are most favorable for dangerous storms.
While exact timing remains uncertain, the system is expected to arrive after 6 p.m. Wednesday. In addition to severe storms, multiple weather systems moving through the area over the next week will heighten the risk of flooding. Northwest counties are at the greatest risk, with up to 8 inches of rainfall projected.
A Flood Watch is now in effect from Wednesday night through Sunday morning for the western two-thirds of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. Residents should stay alert and prepare for possible severe weather and flooding in the coming days.
Last month, at least forty people died from winds and tornadoes across the United States.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced that at least two people were killed in the storms. “Yesterday’s severe weather impacted most of Alabama,” Ivey said in a statement on Sunday. “Unfortunately, we have learned of the loss of at least two of our fellow Alabamians — one life in Plantersville and one in Winterboro. We have reports of damage in 52 of our 67 counties. Our damage assessment continues. The sun has risen in Alabama, though. We pray for those lives we lost, as well as those who were injured. And we pray for our first responders, emergency management officials and linemen who are doing incredible work on the ground right now.”
Figures obtained by NBC News indicate that twelve deaths were reported in Missouri, 8 in Kansas, 6 in Mississippi, 4 in Texas, 3 in Arkansas, 4 in Oklahoma, 3 in Alabama, and 2 in North Carolina.
The storm system also led to wildfires and dust storms across Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
FOX Forecast Center reports that there were at least 56 tornadoes in 10 states. Teams from the National Weather Service are actively assessing damages.
