Alert archive / Mississippi / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 9, NWS Memphis, TN

May 6, 2026Crittenden County, Arkansas; DeSoto County, Marshall County, Mississippi; Shelby County, Tennessee

NWS Memphis, TN issued this flash flood warning at May 6, 2026, 4:50 AM CDT for Crittenden County, Arkansas; DeSoto County, Marshall County, Mississippi; Shelby County, Tennessee. It was in force for 100 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 6, 2026, 4:50 AM CDT (09:50 UTC)
Expired
May 6, 2026, 6:30 AM CDT
In force
100 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Crittenden County, AR, DeSoto County, MS, Marshall County, MS, Shelby County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 30 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:53 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 6, 5:00 AM CDTFLASH FLOOD3 Ne Southwest Memphis, TNIntersection flooded at Norris Road and Norris Circle.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 10 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Jackson, MS (KJAN), launched 00:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 309 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2026-05-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 114 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2026-05-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 229 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
114 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-143 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1035 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
61 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
229 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
392 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

135 
WGUS54 KMEG 060950
FFWMEG
ARC035-MSC033-093-TNC157-061130-
/O.NEW.KMEG.FF.W.0009.260506T0950Z-260506T1130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
450 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Crittenden County in eastern Arkansas...
  DeSoto County in northwestern Mississippi...
  Northwestern Marshall County in northwestern Mississippi...
  Shelby County in Tennessee...

* Until 630 AM CDT.

* At 450 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain 
  have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1.5 to 2.5 inches in 1 
  hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in 
  the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Bartlett, Southaven, Collierville, Germantown, Olive Branch, West 
  Memphis, Horn Lake, Hernando, Millington, Cordova, T O Fuller 
  State Park, Meeman Shelby Forest State Park, Memphis, Lakeland, 
  Arlington, Byhalia, Walls, Southeast Memphis, Midtown Memphis and 
  Whitehaven.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3538 9008 3540 9004 3539 8965 3511 8964
      3480 8972 3481 9020 3486 9020 3486 9022
      3495 9026

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1.5-2.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

AEH
1 follow-up statement
555 
WGUS74 KMEG 061137
FFSMEG

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
637 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

ARC035-MSC033-093-TNC157-061147-
/O.EXP.KMEG.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260506T1130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Crittenden AR-DeSoto MS-Marshall MS-Shelby TN-
637 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTHEASTERN CRITTENDEN, 
DESOTO, NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL AND SHELBY COUNTIES...

Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3538 9008 3540 9004 3539 8965 3511 8964
      3480 8972 3481 9020 3486 9020 3486 9022
      3495 9026

$$

AEH

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 6, 12:39 AM CDT, 4 hours 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Issued at 1233 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
  • A Slight Risk (2/5) of strong to severe thunderstorms continues into early Wednesday morning mainly along and south of the I-40 corridor. Damaging winds are the primary hazards, along with urban flash flooding. There is a low chance of a brief tornado for portions of northwest Mississippi and southeast Arkansas.
  • A Slight Risk (2/5) is in place for southeast Arkansas and most of north Mississippi Wednesday afternoon. Damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding will be primary severe weather threats. A brief tornado or two cannot be ruled out.
  • Cooler and drier air will return Thursday and Friday.
Area forecast discussion, May 6, 12:39 AM CDT, 4 hours 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1239 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, FIRE WEATHER...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 1233 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

- A Slight Risk (2/5) of strong to severe thunderstorms continues
  into early Wednesday morning mainly along and south of the I-40
  corridor. Damaging winds are the primary hazards, along with
  urban flash flooding. There is a low chance of a brief tornado
  for portions of northwest Mississippi and southeast Arkansas.

- A Slight Risk (2/5) is in place for southeast Arkansas and most
  of north Mississippi Wednesday afternoon. Damaging winds, large
  hail and flash flooding will be primary severe weather threats.
  A brief tornado or two cannot be ruled out.

- Cooler and drier air will return Thursday and Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Today through Tuesday)
Issued at 1233 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

A cold front currently extends from a 1007mb surface low near
Pittsburgh southwest back through Murray, Kentucky and back into
Harrisburg, Arkansas. The latest radar scan shows elevated
convection north of the front with a few showers out ahead of the
front along the I-40 corridor. A 700mb cap has kept convection at
bay thus far this evening and storms have failed to initiate along
the cold front. Aloft, GOES Water Vapor Imagery shows broad
southwesterly flow with a pronounced shortwave over north central
Texas. Height falls have been nearly non-existent across the Lower
Mississippi Valley. The parameter space is dominated by very high
shear on the order of 70 knots of bulk shear and SRH values in
the 0 to 1 km space of 400 m2/s2. Instability remains on the low
end across much of the region with MLCAPE values of 500 J/kg
focused along and west of the Mississippi River. If any storms can
become surface- based in the next couple of hours and along or
south of the front, the primary threats would be damaging winds
and a brief tornado or two. Lapse rates aloft remain limited
around 6.5 C/km, thus the hail threat would be marginal at best.

Hi-res guidance remains focused on the cold front stalling out
near the TN/MS border by Wednesday sunup. The main trough,
currently over the Four Corners Region, will sweep across the
Southern Plains and bring appreciative height falls to the Lower
Mississippi Valley steepening lapse rates aloft. Areas south of
the front will destabilize by mid afternoon but uncertainty
remains with respect to where the outflow modified cold front will
be situated. Bulk shear will remain plentiful across the region,
but instability remains in question. HREF guidance suggests that
the 500 SBCAPE may develop over portions of northeast Mississippi,
but probabilities remain meager with only a 25% chance at Tupelo
with a tight gradient of increasing probs down into Monroe County,
MS. Nonetheless, the Slight Risk appears to be well drawn to
account for the uncertainty in the thermodynamic environment
Wednesday afternoon.

The main threat on Wednesday still appears to be the flooding
potential as PWATs remain elevated at 1.7 inches, or near the 90th
percentile for this time of year. The slow, southward progress of
the front this afternoon, combined with 850mb flow nearly
parallel to the boundary, suggests a medium to high potential for
training thunderstorms. The HREF supports this theory with 24 hour
LPMM totals showing a swath of 2.5 to 4.5 inches of QPF setting
up just to the south of the I-40 corridor and extending into the
first two rows of north Mississippi counties. The front will
finally clear the area around midnight tomorrow night ending the
threat of heavy rainfall across the region.

Broad surface high pressure will build into the region through
Friday morning with temperatures running about 5 to 10 degrees
below normal. Low temperatures will dip into the 40s nearly
areawide Friday morning. High pressure will slide east late Friday
and return flow will set up over the region. Rain chances will
return on Sunday as a deepening trough over the Great Lakes Region
noses equatorward and helps push a cold front through the region.

AC3

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1233 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

A cluster of showers and thunderstorms will continue to migrate
east/southeast through the overnight hours. Southwest winds will
also remain gusty in the same timeframe. MVFR and intermittent IFR
conditions will continue spreading across the airspace over the
next several hours. As we edge closer to sunrise, the IFR deck,
currently over NE AR, will begin to fill in at MEM/MKL/TUP. By
daybreak, showers and thunderstorms, situated along a stalled
front, moving NW to SE, will continue to impact terminals through
the evening hours. A few hours of mist is expected to follow the
main push of convection past sunset. VFR conditions should slowly
begin to filter back in after sunset.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1233 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

Fire weather concerns will remain low over the next 7 days. Humidity
and widespread wetting rain chances will occur again on Wednesday
as a cold front moves through the entire Mid-South. Cooler and
drier air will move into the region for Thursday and Friday. There
is a low to medium chance that minimum relative humidity values
dip below 40% on Friday. Wetting rain chances will return Sunday
with another cold front.

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...None.
MO...None.
MS...None.
TN...None.
&&

PUBLIC FORECAST...AC3
AVIATION...AEH

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 6, 12:57 AM CDT, 3 hours 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1257 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

TNZ019-020-048-050-051-060630-
Crockett TN-Lauderdale TN-Dyer TN-Haywood TN-Gibson TN-
1257 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CROCKETT...SOUTHEASTERN DYER...
GIBSON...EAST CENTRAL LAUDERDALE AND NORTH CENTRAL HAYWOOD COUNTIES
THROUGH 130 AM CDT...

At 1256 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Chestnut Bluff, or 15 miles east of Ripley, moving east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Humboldt, Trenton, Alamo, Dyer, Halls, Chestnut Bluff, Forked Deer,
Eaton, Medina, Maury City, Friendship, Gates, Gadsden, Gibson,
Tuckers Corner, Grizzard, Hawkinsville, Quincy, Gibson Wells, and
Good Luck.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3568 8938 3586 8947 3613 8890 3584 8875
TIME...MOT...LOC 0556Z 251DEG 50KT 3581 8928

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

JAB
Special weather statement, May 6, 1:05 AM CDT, 3 hours 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
105 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

TNZ049-050-088-089-060630-
Tipton TN-Fayette TN-Shelby TN-Haywood TN-
105 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN TIPTON...NORTHERN
FAYETTE...SOUTHWESTERN HAYWOOD AND NORTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTIES
THROUGH 130 AM CDT...

At 104 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Munford, or 8 miles east of Millington, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Bartlett, Millington, Lakeland, Arlington, Munford, Somerville,
Brighton, Dancyville, Tipton, Warren, Atoka, Oakland, Mason,
Gallaway, Stanton, Williston, Braden, Asbury, Yum Yum, and
Barretville.

This includes Interstate 40 in Tennessee between mile markers 22 and
52.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3530 8999 3551 8980 3549 8918 3515 8938
TIME...MOT...LOC 0604Z 271DEG 44KT 3538 8975

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AEH
Special weather statement, May 6, 1:30 AM CDT, 3 hours 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
130 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

TNZ050-052-053-089-090-060700-
Hardeman TN-Fayette TN-Chester TN-Madison TN-Haywood TN-
130 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN FAYETTE...NORTHERN
HARDEMAN...SOUTHERN HAYWOOD...SOUTHWESTERN MADISON AND SOUTHWESTERN
CHESTER COUNTIES THROUGH 200 AM CDT...

At 130 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Dancyville, or 16 miles southwest of Brownsville, moving east at 55
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Bolivar, Chickasaw State Forest, Chickasaw State Park, Whiteville,
Silerton, Hillville, Dancyville, Cloverport, Mercer, Stanton, Toone,
Medon, Asbury, Yum Yum, Pine Top, Hickory Point, Uptonville, Taylor
Chapel, Teague, and Meux Corner.

This includes Interstate 40 in Tennessee between mile markers 38 and
52.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3528 8950 3547 8946 3553 8877 3526 8875
TIME...MOT...LOC 0630Z 267DEG 48KT 3538 8937

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AEH
Special weather statement, May 6, 2:22 AM CDT, 2 hours 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
222 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

TNZ053-090-091-060745-
Hardeman TN-Chester TN-McNairy TN-
222 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN HARDEMAN...MCNAIRY
AND SOUTHERN CHESTER COUNTIES THROUGH 245 AM CDT...

At 222 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Silerton, or near Chickasaw State Forest, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Henderson, Bolivar, Selmer, Chickasaw State Forest, Chickasaw State
Park, Adamsville, Silerton, Masseyville, Robertson, McNairy, Bethel
Springs, Eastview, Michie, Toone, Hornsby, Finger, Stantonville,
Milledgeville, Enville, and Forty Forks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3504 8839 3524 8907 3543 8888 3544 8880
      3541 8836
TIME...MOT...LOC 0722Z 274DEG 32KT 3531 8881

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

AEH
Special weather statement, May 6, 4:39 AM CDT, 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
439 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

ARZ049-058-MSZ010-061015-
Phillips AR-Lee AR-Coahoma MS-
439 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN LEE...PHILLIPS AND
CENTRAL COAHOMA COUNTIES THROUGH 515 AM CDT...

At 439 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Roe to near St. Charles to Merrisach Lake.
Movement was east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Clarksdale, Marvell, Elaine, Helena-West Helena, White River National
Wildlife Refuge, Friars Point, Lexa, Rondo, Watkins Corner, Kings,
Sherard, Crumrod, Lake View, Lagrange, Rena Lara, Mosby Spur,
Ferguson, Preston Place, Quarles, and Hoop Spur.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3414 9108 3419 9109 3422 9106 3425 9108
      3425 9106 3428 9108 3429 9106 3432 9106
      3434 9105 3434 9100 3447 9100 3447 9106
      3466 9105 3470 9068 3434 9055 3410 9066
      3412 9066 3412 9112
TIME...MOT...LOC 0939Z 268DEG 44KT 3457 9132 3432 9119 3407 9127

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

AEH
Special weather statement, May 6, 4:45 AM CDT, 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
445 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

ARZ035-036-048-061015-
St. Francis AR-Cross AR-Crittenden AR-
445 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN ST. FRANCIS...
NORTHWESTERN CRITTENDEN AND CROSS COUNTIES THROUGH 515 AM CDT...

At 445 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Colt, or 7 miles west of Wynne, moving east at 45
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Wynne, Earle, Parkin, Village Creek State Park, Caldwell, Colt,
Jennette, Fair Oaks, Vanndale, Smithdale, Three Forks, Fitzgerald
Crossing, Colton, Twist, McDonald, McElroy, Cloar, Kinton,
Shearerville, and Coldwater.

This includes Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 258 and
267.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3544 9050 3544 9048 3514 9036 3508 9101
      3525 9104
TIME...MOT...LOC 0945Z 251DEG 40KT 3519 9092

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AEH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 6, 3:20 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGCrittenden90 min
May 6, 4:39 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGPhillips36 min
May 6, 4:45 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCross30 min
May 6, 8:44 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGCrittenden, Cross, Lee, St. Francis2 hr
May 6, 5:08 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCoahoma, Quitman, Tunica37 min
May 6, 10:53 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGAlcorn, Benton, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and 1 more112 min
May 6, 12:53 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGShelby3 hr
May 6, 12:57 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrockett, Gibson33 min
May 6, 1:05 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGFayette, Tipton25 min
May 6, 1:30 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGHardeman30 min
May 6, 1:50 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy40 min
May 6, 2:22 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGChester, Hardeman, McNairy23 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Mississippi, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Arkansas, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Tennessee, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.