The death toll following the severe storms which began Wednesday evening has risen to eight, all of which occurred in West Tennessee. The deaths included one each in Carroll and Obion Counties, two in Fayette County and four in McNairy.
The past 24 hours have been very active, with flash flooding and impactful severe weather continuing this afternoon along this axis of rain. The National Weather Service issued over 70 severe thunderstorm warnings, over 50 tornado warnings (with seven of those having reported/observed tornadoes and damage), and 21 flash flood warnings during the severe storms which started Wednesday.
Widespread 3-5” of rain has fallen in the past 18 hours, with several areas nearing 7”. West and Middle Regions are facing another 3-4” is expected today and potentially looking at an additional 5-7” on Saturday.
The Storm Prediction Center has expanded the Enhanced Risk of severe weather today for areas west of the I-65 corridor, driven by a significant tornado and large hail threat. Damaging winds are also a threat. The Weather Prediction Center continues the High risk of excessive rainfall over West Region for both today and Saturday.
Death tolls include one each in Carroll and Obion Counties and two in Fayette County and four in McNairy County, all in West Tennessee.
In Fayette County, the two deaths occured when a tornado hit La Grange, Tennessee.
According to the sheriff’s office, a 48-year-old man and his 16-year-old daughter died at the hospital after a tornado struck their modular home. The mother was also taken to the hospital in critical condition after crews rescued her from underneath the home. Two other family members were hospitalized and are in stable condition.
The chief sheriff’s deputy in McNairy County, Tennessee, reports four weather-related deaths in the county. TEMA also says there have been at least 20 confirmed reports of injuries there.
Photo: TWRA assisting with the ongoing searches for survivors in the Selmer tornado. (TWRA photo).