NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A State of Emergency has been declared for the state of Tennessee Wednesday due to the threat of severe weather and what the National Weather Service has called a “generational” flooding risk in the state.

Tennessee Emergency Management (TEMA) Director Patrick Sheehan issued the State of Emergency Wednesday night ahead of a line of severe storms moving into West Tennessee, including the Memphis metro area. 

The storm system produced several strong tornadoes in East Arkansas, including a confirmed tornado that prompted a rare tornado emergency for Lake City, Arkansas, Wednesday afternoon.

After the severe weather Wednesday, the National Weather Service said the Mid-South is under a “generational” flooding risk due to several consecutive days of heavy rain in the area.

In addition to the State of Emergency declaration, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee requested a federal emergency declaration for the state to allow access to FEMA funding for affected areas.

According to a press release from TEMA, the State of Emergency allows the state to take steps to protect residents and mobilize resources that can help those in disaster-affected areas.

“[TEMA] encourages all Tennesseans to take preparedness steps ahead of the severe weather system, with impacts expected Wednesday evening through Saturday afternoon,” the agency said in the press release. 

Gov. Lee has also requested direct federal assistance, federal help with debris removal and disaster preparedness ahead of the flooding threat.

TEMA said the state moved to a Level 3 State of Emergency, meaning the state’s Emergency Management Plan is in effect, and the state’s Emergency Operations Center has been mobilized.