If you’re in western Tennessee this morning, stop and check the sky — or better yet, stay inside. A fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms is sweeping through the region, and it’s packing damaging winds up to 60 mph, large hail, and the potential to knock out power and disrupt your morning commute. The National Weather Service has placed 10 counties under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9:00 a.m. CDT, and officials are warning that this system could intensify without much warning.
With commuters on the road, school buses running, and many heading out for work, emergency officials are urging extra caution. These storms are moving quickly and may strike with little time to react.
Areas Under the Gun: 10 Western Tennessee Counties on Alert
Here are the counties currently under the Severe Thunderstorm Watch:
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Benton
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Carroll
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Crockett
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Dyer
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Gibson
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Henry
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Lake
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Lauderdale
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Obion
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Weakley
Communities in these areas — including smaller towns and rural stretches — are especially vulnerable, where fewer emergency shelters and longer emergency response times can heighten risk.
What to Expect: Wind That Can Snap Trees and Rain That Can Flood Roads
This storm system isn’t just rain and thunder — it’s the kind of weather that can cause real damage:
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60 MPH Wind Gusts: That’s strong enough to break tree limbs, rip off light roofing, and topple unsecured objects like trampolines, garbage bins, and lawn furniture.
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Large Hail: Ice chunks falling from the sky can shatter car windshields, dent vehicles, and damage homes and crops.
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Flash Flooding: Low-lying roads and rural ditches may flood quickly from heavy downpours — turn around, don’t drown is not just a slogan, it’s life-saving advice.
Stay Smart: Here’s What You Should Do Now
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Avoid travel if you can — wait until the system moves through.
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Charge your phone and portable battery packs now in case of power outages.
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Bring in or secure outdoor items that could fly or be damaged.
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Stay inside and away from windows, especially if hail begins to fall.
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Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors, particularly those in mobile homes or without reliable shelter.
What’s Next? Storms Could Return Later Today
The immediate threat is expected to calm after 9 a.m., but forecasters are not ruling out additional storms later this afternoon. As temperatures rise and humidity increases, the atmosphere could recharge, creating a second wave of storm risk later Friday.
Western Tennessee residents are advised to keep their phones on, stay weather-aware, and prepare for a potentially stormy day beyond this morning’s system.
