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While Memphis and its suburbs largely escaped any serious weather incidents Wednesday night, this spate of rocky weather is still causing problems for the area, particularly flash flooding.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Memphis, Bartlett and Southaven on Thursday, April 3 that was extended repeatedly until 11:15 p.m. It called it a “dangerous and life-threatening situation” and advised residents not to travel “unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.” 

At least seven dead as South and Midwest reel from violent storms

The NWS has received flooding reports from many low-lying areas in the city, said NWS meteorologist Katie Dedeaux, and urges motorists to avoid any watery areas.

“Turn around, don’t drown,” Dedeaux said. “It’s always better to find another way, a different route, so you don’t have to cross that water.”

Through Thursday evening, a total of 6.63 inches of rain had fallen at the Memphis International Airport, NWS officials said. 

Thursday’s forecast also included the possibility of a tornado, although the risk was less severe than it was on Wednesday, April 2.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday, Germantown officials put out an alert that said numerous roads through the city west of Kimbrough were impassable and some drivers were stranded in their cars. Gutters were gushing with flowing water putting drains at their maximum capacity. Along Farmington, some residents took pictures of garbage cans floating in the street.

Collierville authorities reported Thursday afternoon that apparent straight-line winds had downed trees and power lines, sending first responders on calls. The most affected areas were south of Old Town Square, with additional reports scattered around town.

Brian Curry, a National Weather Service observer who lives off Forest Hill-Irene in Germantown, said almost 2 inches fell at his house between 7:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Thursday. That brought the total from the storm to slightly more than 5½ inches.

Much more rain is expected through the weekend, NWS meteorologist Andy Chiuppi said, with some areas expected to reach rainfall accumulation in the double digits.

“(We) got lucky,” Chiuppi said Thursday, referring to Memphis missing the tornado activity in the area throughout Wednesday night. “(But) we have three more days of severe weather. We can’t let our guard down.”

Several thousand people lost power in Memphis Wednesday night, largely because of high winds and toppled trees. In a statement, Memphis Light, Gas and Water officials said a total of 21,020 customers lost power for more than five minutes, while the most without power at any one time was 8,514.

By late Thursday afternoon, more than 4,000 customers were still without power. MLGW said Thursday’s storms and wind could delay restoration efforts.

MPD asking motorists to stay off roadways during storm

Erik Proseus of MemphisWeather.Net said he thinks Friday might be slightly less severe, but Saturday’s forecast is again worrisome.

“I expect Saturday to be quite wet. We are back in a severe weather risk for Saturday as the system slowly moves back through,” he said. “Most of the day will be wet. We will see thunderstorms, some of which could be strong and severe, into the afternoon and evening. Then it finally moves out.”