Area residents should be on the lookout for severe weather Thursday, May 9. 

According to the National Weather Service, “rain and thunderstorms before 4 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 4 a.m. and 5.a.m. then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall.”

The temperatures will be in the mid-80s during that time.

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Earlier, on Wednesday, the chances for severe weather were increased to an enhanced risk.

“The threats for that include destructive winds of 80-plus miles an hour; very large hail, which is greater than 2 inches in diameter; possible for a chance of tornadoes,” said National Weather Service-Memphis meteorologist Desiree Meadows. “Some may be very strong, and (there’s) a chance of flash flooding as well.”

Meadows expected the front to hit the area between 7 and 8 p.m., but the predictions have been pushed back to Thursday.

“If you’re able to ... secure your outdoor loose items,” Meadows said. “If you have a garage, make sure your car is parked and protect it from the hail.

“When a tornado watch or severe thunderstorm watch is issued, that’s when you know you need to start making sure your bags are ready to go and everything is where you need it to be.”

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“I urge all citizens within the Mid-South area to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts,” said Brenda Jones, director of Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. “There are mobile applications for your phone, local news coverage and/or a NOAA Weather Radio.”

The agency also suggests people be prepared to evacuate or shelter in place, as well as designate a safe place to shelter. A basement or storm shelter is best, but another option is going to the center room of the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Those in vehicles should try to seek shelter in a sturdy building, or if they cannot, pull over and cover their arms and body with a coat or blanket. Bridges and overpasses should be avoided.

Finally, the agency said people should anticipate power outages.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water has a storm preparedness guide on its website, as well as an outage guide. 

“MLGW is always prepared to deal with weather-related outages,” MLGW community relations member Stacey Greenberg said. “Crews are prepared to work around the clock, if needed.”

If customers have an outage, they can call MLGW for assistance at 901-544-6500.