Live reports: Deadly severe storms, dangerous flooding overspread southern US

As of 1:30 a.m. CST Sunday, this story is no longer being updated. Click here for a storm recap.

While a severe weather outbreak, including the threat of tornadoes, is unfolding across the southern United States, flooding has prompted rescues across the Tennessee Valley on Saturday.

Lives and property will be at risk as violent storms erupt from Jackson, Mississippi, to Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; and Bowling Green, Kentucky.

“AccuWeather meteorologists are concerned that this will be the first significant and widespread outbreak of severe weather so far this year,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff said.

"The whole gamut of severe weather risks is possible during this event, including large hail, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph and tornadoes," she added.

The damaging thunderstorms are being accompanied by a high risk of flooding, particularly across northern Mississippi, northern Alabama and central Tennessee.

Download the free AccuWeather app to be alerted when a severe thunderstorm is approaching your neighborhood.

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1:00 a.m. CST Sunday:

USA Today reports that in Jackson, Tennessee, a sinkhole opened up on an area road that was overtaken by rushing water. All three occupants were able to escape the vehicle within moments of it becoming completely submerged.

Reports of road closures continue to mount across Kentucky as heavy rain continues overnight.

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11:25 p.m. CST Saturday:

While all tornado watches have expired or been canceled, flooding continues to threaten communities from Louisiana to Ohio.

Flood warnings remain in effect across Kentucky and Tennessee, where many locations have picked up more than 2 inches of rain this evening alone.

Residents should continue to keep an eye on local watches and warnings and head any local official's direction or evacuation notices.

Additionally, much of the region has been subject to excessive rainfall several times over the past few months.

As of Feb. 23, Nashville had already recorded its wettest February on record with 12.55 inches, breaking a record that was nearly 140 years old. Almost 2 additional inches fell on Saturday.

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10:15 p.m. CST Saturday:

1 fatality has been reported following the Columbus tornado today, according to Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant and Jacob Dickey.

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9:20p.m. CST Saturday:

A Flash Flood Warning continues for Murfreesboro, Columbia, and Spring Hill, Tennessee until 10:30 p.m. CST.

Never enter swiftly flowing water, and do not try to drive or walk through standing water because underneath the road could be compromised or blocked by debris.

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8:00 p.m. CST Saturday:

There have been numerous water rescues near the northern end of Dickson County, Tennessee, which is west of the Nashville metro area.

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7:45 p.m. CST Saturday:

Severe storms are still a concern in some areas across Mississippi and Alabama. There is a Tornado Warning for Walker County, Alabama.

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6:30 p.m. CST Saturday:

A tornado occurred near the downtown area of Columbus, Mississippi. There are many reports of damage. According to radar, debris lofted nearly 10,000 feet into the air.

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6:00 p.m. CST Saturday:

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee made the following statement:

“Our departments and agencies are monitoring the ongoing weather developments and they are coordinating to be fully prepared. Tennesseans should follow the instructions of emergency officials and stay on alert due to rising flood waters in and the potential for more severe weather."

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5:15 p.m. CST Saturday:

There were spotter-confirmed tornadoes this evening in Artesia, Bent Oak, and Burnsville, Mississippi.

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5:30 p.m. CST Saturday:

There is a Tornado Warning for Lamar County until 615 p.m. CST. There is a confirmed tornado in downtown Columbus, Mississippi moving northeast toward northern side of Millport.

Take shelter now.

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4:25 p.m. CST Saturday:

The most dangerous supercell is now in far northeast Mississippi, just north of Booneville, Mississippi, with a possible tornado as of 4:23 p.m. CST moving rapidly northeast.

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3:20 p.m. CST Saturday:

A Tornado Warning is in effect now for Winston County, Alabama, until 3:45 p.m. CST. The severe storm is near Curry moving northeast.

Take cover immediately if you are in those areas.

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2:50 p.m. CST Saturday:

The first thunderstorm immediately capable of producing a tornado was tracking through central Mississippi.

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2:30 p.m. CST Saturday:

Officials from the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced that Interstate 40 will remain closed through the state's mountains for a week. Both eastbound and westbound lanes were closed on Friday night after a landslide. Crews will spend the week cleaning up debris and stabilizing the soil at the site of the incident.

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1:30 p.m. CST Saturday:

The danger for severe weather continues to increase and the first tornado watch of the day has been issued.

The tornado watch has been issued for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee until 8 p.m. CST.

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1:00 p.m. CST Saturday:

The Knoxville Fire Department rescued victims from a van in floodwater at Concorde Street in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Officials stress to turn around, don't drown.

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12:45 p.m. CST Saturday:

A water rescue in Washington County, Tennessee, is underway at the Carmel Village Mobile Home Park, WCYB-TV has reported. A vehicle in the area is submerged in floodwaters up to the vehicle's hood.

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12:20 p.m. Saturday CST:

Road closures continue to mount in parts of Tennessee as floodwaters continue to inundate streets, rendering them impassible.

Locations across Alabama face the same issue as rising rivers and streams spill into the roadways.

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11:42 a.m. CST Saturday:

Residents in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, are being evacuated from their homes due to an overflowing retention pond. The homes being impacted are in the area of Roosevelt Avenue in Muscle Shoals.

Crews are using boats to reach residents affected by the flooding.

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11:10 a.m. CST Saturday:

An engine for the City of Knoxville Fire Department fell sideways into floodwaters as rescuers attempted to help a trapped motorist on Saturday morning.

In northwest Alabama, residents are being evacuated from their homes to escape the ongoing flood threat, according to AL.com. Colbert County Emergency Management Director Mike Melton said evacuations, which are occurring in areas including Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia, are voluntary.

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10:40 a.m. CST Saturday:

The National Weather Service office in Nashville reports that as of earlier on Saturday, the city has now experienced its wettest February on record before the severe weather targeted the city.

Meanwhile, flooding conditions are also threatening parts of Alabama, prompting closures and cancellations for some schools and businesses.

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10 a.m. CST Saturday:

Rising waters have led to a water rescue that is underway at Four Corners Marina in Cherry Hills, Tennessee, about 23 minutes southeast of Nashville, according to the local fire department. Docks and ramps are reportedly underwater with multiple people stuck on boats as water continues to rise at Percy Priest Lake.

In Washington County, Tennessee, 911 dispatchers told local media that several roads are becoming "impassible" due to flooding. Dispatchers urge anyone driving in the county to drive cautiously or to remain at home, if possible, according to WJHL Channel 11 News.

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7:30 a.m. CST Saturday:

Thunderstorms are beginning to develop from northeastern Texas into central Arkansas and will become more widespread in the next few hours.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has issued a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms over northern Mississippi and into southwestern Tennessee. This is the first moderate risk issued by the agency since July 2018.

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