Damaging thunderstorms target southeastern US for third consecutive day
As powerful thunderstorms rolled into Raymore, Missouri on June 21, trees were bucked around by the winds the storm brought with it. Torrential rains were also observed, and the National Weather Services reported that the area might get as much as four inches of rain.
In the wake of the thunderstorm winds that left widespread damage both Thursday and Friday, severe thunderstorms are once again threatening the southeastern United States.
Severe thunderstorms will continue to develop and sweep across areas from Tennessee to Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and northern Florida.
If a complex of severe thunderstorms produces a far-reaching swath of wind damage, it may be declared a derecho.
"As has been the case the past two days, wind damage will be the greatest danger from the thunderstorms into Saturday evening," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.
Winds gusting to an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 70 mph can litter roads and neighborhoods with downed trees and leave more residents without power.
Falling trees can cause more damage and bodily harm by landing on vehicles and homes.
A 61-year-old man was killed when thunderstorm winds downed a tree near Columbia, South Carolina, on Thursday afternoon. The next evening, another falling tree struck and killed a man near Maynard, Kentucky.
The risk for damaging thunderstorms into Saturday evening will stretch from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina; and Jacksonville, Florida.
The threat will also encompass Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee.
Severe weather rolling through Ava, Missouri, on June 21, 2019, brought rumbling thunder and lightning. Remember to go indoors when thunder roars!
Downloading the AccuWeather app is a great way to stay aware of impending severe weather, especially for those partaking in outdoor events.
Anyone living in highly wooded areas should move to the lowest level and most interior part of your home (to put as much distance between you and potentially falling trees) if threatened by the damaging thunderstorms.
Strong thunderstorm winds could also overturn semi-trucks and campers traveling along stretches of interstates 10, 20, 59, 75, 85 and 95. Downpours can also dramatically reduce visibility and heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning as the thunderstorms roll through.
"Atlanta is a big hub, so there is definitely a concern for flight delays and a brief ground stop when the thunderstorms roll through," Anderson said.
"Frequent lightning is another significant concern with the thunderstorms into Saturday night," he added. "Remember that standing under a tree is not a safe place to be during a thunderstorm."
Even if there are no severe weather warnings in place, be sure to seek shelter as soon as thunder is heard to avoid being struck.
In the wake of Saturday's dangers, thunderstorms are expected to return to areas from Tennessee and western North Carolina to northeastern Florida on Sunday.
Worse than spoiling outdoor plans, the thunderstorms will once again renew dangers of lightning and localized damaging winds.
Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
