Flash Flooding Strikes Memphis Area as Severe Storms Dump Heavy Rain
Flash flooding and severe thunderstorms struck Memphis and surrounding areas June 1, with up to 2 inches of rain causing urban flooding and hazardous conditions.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — Flash flooding and severe thunderstorms hit the Memphis metropolitan area on June 1, leading to multiple National Weather Service warnings as heavy rainfall caused urban flooding and hazardous conditions across Shelby County and nearby areas.
The National Weather Service Memphis office issued a Flash Flood Warning at 6:26 PM CDT for northeastern DeSoto County in northwestern Mississippi, northwestern Marshall County in northwestern Mississippi, and southeastern Shelby County in Tennessee, effective until 8:15 PM CDT.
Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, with between 1 and 2 inches of rain having already fallen by 6:26 PM. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches were possible in the warned area, according to the weather service.
Multiple Communities Affected
The flash flooding impacted numerous communities including Collierville, Olive Branch, Memphis, Byhalia, Red Banks, Mt Pleasant, Piperton, Coal Oil Corner, Cayce, Victoria, Taska, Handy Corner, Miller, Fairhaven, Mahon, and Cedarview. The weather service warned of flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
A separate Flood Advisory was issued at 6:11 PM CDT covering portions of North Mississippi, including DeSoto and Marshall counties, and West Tennessee’s Shelby County. This advisory remained in effect until 8:15 PM CDT, with minor flooding ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Severe Weather Conditions
Severe thunderstorms brought dangerous wind gusts and hail to the region. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued at 6:05 PM CDT warned of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail from a storm located near Olive Branch, moving southeast at 15 mph.
The weather service warned residents to expect hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Communities in the storm’s path included Southaven, Collierville, Germantown, Olive Branch, Memphis, Byhalia, Mt Pleasant, Lewisburg, Red Banks, Slayden, Piperton, Coal Oil Corner, Cayce, Fairhaven, Victoria, Cedarview, Handy Corner, Taska, Capleville, and Miller.
Interstate 22 in Mississippi between mile markers 1 and 23 was included in the severe weather warning area.
Extended Flooding Concerns
Later in the evening, an additional Flood Advisory was issued at 9:07 PM CDT, extending until 10:00 PM CDT and covering broader areas including portions of East Arkansas (Crittenden and Mississippi counties), North Mississippi (DeSoto County), and West Tennessee (Shelby County).
This advisory warned of urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall, with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches expected over the area. Locations that experienced flooding included Southaven, Olive Branch, West Memphis, Horn Lake, Marion, T O Fuller State Park, Meeman Shelby Forest State Park, Memphis, Crawfordsville, Sunset, Gilmore, Jericho, Downtown Memphis, Frayser, Midtown Memphis, Southwest Memphis, Whitehaven, and Lynchburg.
The National Weather Service advised residents in affected areas to avoid driving through flooded roadways and to stay informed about changing weather conditions throughout the evening.
