Many in Middle Tennessee woke up to several volleys of tornado warnings, lightning, thunder and a lot of rain as round after round of severe weather blew through the region Thursday morning.
At least four people are dead in Tennessee, state and local officials confirmed.
Now that the initial threat has concluded for Thursday morning, the biggest issue is flooding which has stalled vehicles on Interstate 65 and caused at least one wreck on Interstate 40.
The storms are part of what is expected to be an active couple of days of severe weather. While West Tennessee is expected to get the brunt of these storms, Middle Tennessee can expect significant rain, flash flooding, large hail, straight line winds and possible tornadoes.
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Nashville is expected to get between 5-6 inches, while Clarksville is expected to get between 8-10 inches by the end of the weekend.
Follow here for live updates from this round of severe weather.
TEMA confirms four deaths in Tennessee
Four people have died as a result of the severe storms Thursday morning.
Deaths were reported in the following counties:
- Fayette
- Hardeman
- McNairy
- Obion
No names have been released for any of the victims.
National Weather Service issues Flash Flood Warnings for Middle Tennessee
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for much of Middle Tennessee.
Counties include:
- Cheatham: until 9:15 a.m.
- Davidson: until 10:30 a.m.
- Robertson: until 9:15 a.m.
- Rutherford: until 10:30 a.m.
- Sumner: until 10:30 a.m.
- Williamson: until 10:30 a.m.
- Wilson: until 10:30 a.m.
Flooding now main concern in Middle Tennessee
Road conditions will continue to be questionable as flash flooding becomes the main concern Thursday morning.
I-65 northbound near mile marker 80 was closed because of flooding, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Erin Zeigler said.
The rain also caused at least one rollover wreck on I-40 eastbound. That wreck has since been cleared.
Major damage, deaths reported in Tennessee
As several rounds of severe weather pummeled the region, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported major damage in Fayette, Hardeman and McNairy counties.
The agency also reported one storm-related death in McNairy County— where a suspected tornado ripped through Selmer— and another in Obion County.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a third death.
School closures roll in across Middle Tennessee
Schools in Middle Tennessee have started to cancel school Thursday as severe weather rolls through the region.
School system closures include:
- Wilson County Schools: Closed Thursday
- Cheatham County Schools: closed Thursday
- Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools: On a two hour delay Thursday
- Metro Nashville Schools: Closed Thursday
- Robertson County Schools: Closed Thursday
- Sumner County Schools: Closed Thursday
- Williamson County Schools: Closed Thursday
For more closures: Nashville public schools, Williamson and other districts close Thursday for severe weather
Governor, TEMA declared State of Emergency ahead of storms
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, at the direction of Gov. Bill Lee, issued Wednesday a State of Emergency for the severe weather hitting the state.
The declaration allows the state to expedite assistance, move resources around and coordinate responses across the state.
The request includes federal assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance.
