There were supercell thunderstorms across Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois this morning well ahead of the main squall line. While hail reports are few and far between as expected, the tornado threat seems to have been over forecasted. While this does show flaws in the system, it is better for the meteorologists at the Storm Prediction Center to be safe than sorry. However, over 300 straight line damaging wind reports have been made since yesterday, and in Kentucky, the straight line winds actually destroyed several homes.
WHAT TO EXPECT THE REST OF THE DAY
While the tornado threat appears to be rapidly diminishing, straight line winds will be associated with the squall line all the way to the East Coast. Here are the current watches below.
Tornado Watches #17, 18, and 19 are in effect for central and southern Alabama, central and norther Georgia, and eastern Tennessee and Kentucky. Severe Thunderstorm Watch #20 is in effect for western Virginia, central West Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania, where the tornado threat is more minimal.
Flash Flooding is also expected to be a major concern in all these areas, as 2-4 inches of rain in a couple of hours can cause sewer systems to back up into the streets. The main flash flooding concern at this point exists in Jefferson, Clay, Cleburne, Calhoun, St. Clair, and Talladega counties in east central Alabama, where Flash Flood Warnings are currently in effect. The potential for flash flooding will continue to move eastward with the storm system today. Right now the line has pretty much passed through Mississippi and west Alabama, and should be out of Alabama completely by about 5:00 PM CST. If you come across a flooded road, turn around and find a different way to your destination when traveling. It is nearly impossible to estimate how high the water is and it only takes to feet of moving water to sink a vehicle.
Next update will be between 2:00 and 4:00 PM CST. Until then, stay safe.
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