News Summary
Memphis is facing severe weather causing significant flooding and emergencies. Emergency responders are active, rescuing residents. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has declared a State of Emergency as the situation intensifies, with reports of fatalities. With continued storm activity, residents are urged to stay vigilant amidst ongoing hazards.
Severe Storms Ravage Memphis, State of Emergency Declared
Memphis is currently experiencing a wave of harsh weather that has left many residents grappling with flooding and frightening storm conditions. On Saturday, the Shelby County Sheriffโs Office was hard at work, coming to the aid of locals who found themselves stuck in their vehicles. A total of six individuals were rescued or given assistance while two people needed to be moved from their homes in a mobile home park situated near Raleigh Millington Road and Navy Road. An additional evacuation occurred on Bridgewater Road, illustrating just how intense the weather event has been.
Since the early hours of Saturday, emergency responders were kept busy answering a multitude of calls about hazardous conditions. They dealt with flooded roads, downed trees, and even mudslides. The fact that the day began with emergency crews responding to 16 flooded road reports speaks volumes about how severe the situation developed so quickly. Plus, they had to juggle six incidents of downed trees, three mudslides, and a damaged road, while a downed powerline complicating matters added to the chaos.
Fortunately, crews in Memphis acted quickly, clearing the blocked roads or setting up barricades where necessary. When it comes to ensuring safety, it appears they wasted no time in removing all the trees and mudslides that had been tossed about by Mother Nature.
Storms Unleash Heavy Rainfall
Since the storms rolled in, Memphis has faced persistent rain, with over an inch falling in many areas by Wednesday evening alone. Sadly, as of Thursday morning, the situation worsened, with approximately 6,800 Memphis Light, Gas and Water customers left in the dark due to storm-related power outages.
In anticipation of the harsh weather, shelters were prepared in the city to offer refuge to those in need. The storms brought an alarming risk level, rated a severe 5 out of 5, resulting in multiple tornado warnings that gripped the region.
State of Emergency and Federal Support
Understanding the seriousness of the situation, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) declared a State of Emergency late Wednesday. In a proactive move, Tennesseeโs governor reached out to seek federal assistance through a disaster declaration request for access to FEMA funding, which could further aid the affected communities.
The National Weather Service has issued Flood Watches for Memphis and the broader Mid-South area that remain in effect until Sunday. This warning comes as forecasts predict that some regions could experience up to a foot of rain. TEMA Director has urged residents to stay alert, as worsening conditions may pose additional threats.
Tragically, the severe weather has claimed lives, with the death toll now rising to five. Fatalities have been reported in counties such as Fayette, McNairy, Obion, and Carroll, where storms and flooding resulted in devastating outcomes, including a tornado that decimated a modular home in Fayette County. This tornado reportedly claimed two lives and left another family member critically injured.
Looking Forward
As Memphis rebounds from this storm, itโs clear that the river flooding remains a serious concern that may continue to escalate over the weekend. Rainfall has reached 6.9 inches in Memphis, while other areas within Tennessee have also seen significant amounts. Residents are advised to stay prepared for further flooding and exercise caution around any standing water on the roads.
Emergency crews and National Guard personnel have been deployed to assist with search and rescue operations to ensure that communities receive the help they desperately need. With even more thunderstorms on the horizon and a flood watch still active through Sunday morning, locals are advised to remain vigilant as the possibility of severe weather lingers.
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Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis Weather Saturday Updates
- Google Search: Memphis flooding
- Local Memphis: Memphis Flooding and Power Outages
- Wikipedia: Flooding
- Action News 5: Flooding Impacting Motorists
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Natural Disaster
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis Weather Flooding and Storm Damage
- Google News: Memphis weather
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
