Paris, Tenn.–From Henry County Emergency Management Director Ron Watkins:
Today heavy rain and thunderstorms caused several road closures due to flash flooding. BPU responded to a power outage in the Antioch Harbor area in Springville due to a broken utility pole. Power has been restored.
The severe weather threat has been elevated to a level 3 for areas in the southern Henry County. This afternoon we could see possible damaging winds of 74 mph and/or a tornado.
Due to expected weather, the Henry County Sheriffs Department and Paris Police will be opening tornado shelters today at 3:30 pm. The National Weather Service in Memphis has estimated a line of severe thunderstorms will form and move through the county beginning around 4 pm and end by 8 pm.
Shelters to open include:
Inman School- Harrison St, Paris
Lakewood School- Hwy 79N, Paris Landing
Henry School, Pioner Rd, Henry
Harrelson School, Puryear Country Club Rd, Puryear
Shelters will be monitored by Law Enforcement and will remain open until the weather threat has passed.
EMA will continue to monitor weather conditions and will pass along any updates.