Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Chickasaw County, Prepare for Winds and Flooding

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Chickasaw County, including Houston and Okolona, by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Memphis, TN. The warning was issued on October 9 at 10:10 PM CDT and remains in effect. Residents should immediately finalize preparations for hazardous wind and significant flooding.

Peak wind gusts are forecast to reach 45 mph, with sustained winds of 10-20 mph. These conditions could cause limited damage to property, including porches, awnings, and unanchored mobile homes. Expect many large tree limbs to break, and some trees may snap or uproot, especially in areas with shallow-rooted trees. Scattered power and communications outages are possible.

A Flood Watch is also in effect. Additional rainfall of 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts, is expected, posing a significant threat of moderate flooding. This could lead to evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may swell, overflowing their banks, and small streams and ditches could overflow. Floodwaters may enter structures and weaken foundations. Hazardous driving conditions are anticipated due to widespread inundation of underpasses, low-lying areas, and streets.

Tornadoes are not expected at this time. The NWS advises acting now to complete all preparations before hazardous winds begin. Heed all flood watches and warnings; failure to do so could result in serious injury or loss of life. For more detailed information, visit weather.gov/memphis.