MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Meteorological spring is here, and that means spring storms. From tornadoes to hail to lightning and damaging winds, the Mid-South gets it all.
Ahead of the stormy weather, here are the different types of severe weather to help you prepare for the storm.
Mid-Southerners are no strangers to severe weather and tornadoes are atop the list for dangers.
Tornadoes are responsible for death and destruction in the Mid-South almost every spring. For safety, go to the lowest room of your home and put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.
However, severe storms can bring multiple dangers.
“Knowing that those severe thunderstorms can bring lightning, flash flooding, possibly tornadic activity,” said Melissa Egan, the Community Relations Officer for TEMA.
“Just because you have a tree down doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a tornado,” said Caroline Adcock of NWS Memphis. “We can get some very strong winds and a lot of hail.”
Even non-severe storms bring lightning.
It helps to remember the saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
Behind the lightning comes heavy rain; it pours and pours on already saturated soil.
Now you have a flood.
“We really want people to check to make sure that they have homeowners insurance, flooding insurance, and also know where they live,” Egan said.
Putting together a kit with some basic items like water and a flashlight is a great idea, too.