Severe weather, flooding anticipated for West Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn. — Multiple counties here in the West Tennessee region are expecting between 7 to 14 inches of rain heading into the weekend.

Here’s how TDOT crews are preparing for this week of severe weather.

“Our crews cover 21 counties form the Mississippi River to the Tennessee River here in West Tennessee, and leading up to events like this our crews are checking storm drains. They are checking debris on the side of the road. They are making sure our equipment is prepped, and ready to go at a moments notice as well,” said Nichole Lawrence, community relations officer for TDOT.

According to our Storm Team 7, counties could expect straight line winds at 58 to 80 miles per hour. One local EMA director tells us the most common concern with residents and severe weather.

“Every time we have heavy flooding people try to go through it, and they end up having to either rescue them or get their bodies out just to put it honest. It’s just that people will not stay out of the water and we need them to. Turn around and don’t drown,” said Ricky Graves, Gibson County EMA director .

Carroll County Road Supervisor Ricky Scott has road crews ready to go to keep drivers safe.

“If it does flood we’ve got signs and barricades. We’re trying to make sure we’ve got plenty of them. That’s about all we can do now until it hits and we see what happens,” said Scott.

Viewers sent in photos from last weekends storm and hail is expected again for this round of severe weather from quarter size to softball size hail.

Here’s what to keep in mind.

“Just because it’s flooding doesn’t mean there won’t be downed trees and downed powerlines. So, our crews will also have to be out in this weather making sure that the trees are moved out of the roadway, and helping and assisting with our local partners to make that happen,” said Lawrence.

For more on weather coverage keep up with our Storm Team 7 for the latest updates.

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