Schools, MATA closing in advance of severe weather
Renee Graves readies her umbrella as she leaves a Downtown Memphis parking garage during a rainy Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)
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The National Weather Service has predicted “widespread severe storms” for a wide swath of the Mid-South on Friday, March 31.
According to the NWS, the storms are expected between 2 p.m. Friday, March 31 and 2 a.m. Saturday, April 1.
Potential threats are storms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes, including some that are strong and long-tracked.
A breakdown of the potential severe weather. (National Weather Service)
A tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday.
Affected counties include Craighead and Crittenden counties in Arkansas; DeSoto and Marshall counties in Mississippi and Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale, Haywood and Fayette counties in Tennessee.
Counties under the tornado watch. (National Weather Service)
Memphis’ Office of Emergency Management recommends people sign up for the city’s emergency alert system.
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) announced it would suspend services beginning at 5 p.m. Friday to prioritize the safety of staff and riders.
MATA’s Ready services will accept final bookings at 4:30 p.m.
According to a release, MATA will update when services will resume on its official communications channels, including social media, Omnilert and matatransit.com.
All schools in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district will close early Friday, March 31, due to the forecasted inclement weather. After-school activities and Y-Care also will be canceled, the district said in a release Friday afternoon.
District offices will close at 1:45 p.m. Schools starting at 7:15 a.m. will dismiss at 12:15 p.m.; schools starting at 8:15 a.m. will dismiss at 1 p.m., and schools starting at 9:15 a.m. will dismiss at 1:45 p.m.
A wind advisory is in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday for portions of East Arkansas, North Mississippi and West Tennessee.
Affected counties include Craighead and Crittenden counties in Arkansas; DeSoto, Marshall and Benton counties in Mississippi and Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale, Haywood and Fayette counties in Tennessee.
Winds are expected to reach 20 to 30 miles per hour, gusting up to 40 to 50 miles per hour.
Impacts could include downed tree limbs and power outages, as well as flying debris and unsecured objects.
The National Weather Service notes that winds outside of storms themselves have the potential for causing power outages and downed tree limbs.
Memphis, Light Gas and Water advises people who rely on electric-powered devices to plan ahead in case of outages.
The utility advises charging batteries, charging phones and contacting friends who may have space to shelter and power equipment.
People driving high-profile vehicles are asked to use extra caution while driving.
One to two inches of rainfall is expected during the storms.
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