Flash Flood and Hail in Tennessee, June 15, 2016

Name: Flash Flood and Hail in Tennessee, June 15, 2016
Start: 2016-06-15T14:23
End: 2016-06-15T19:20
Location: Tennessee

June 15, 2016 · NWS MEG · 8 events in 4 counties and zones

A strong Upper disturbance triggered scattered severe thunderstorms across the Midsouth on the afternoon and evening of June 15th. Storms produced several damaging wind reports and a couple of large hail reports.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS MEG wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jun 15, 2:22 PM CST, 1 minute earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 15, 2:22 PM CST, 1 minute before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
322 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

.DISCUSSION...
Currently... A Severe Thunderstorm Watch and a Heat Advisory are
in effect for our area. Thunderstorms along the northern boundary
of our CWA will continue to forge southward eventually evolving
into an MCS and moving through the NW portion of MEG CWA. Short
term models also depict more isolated to scattered thunderstorms
forming south of the MCS further into West Tennessee. A very
unstable to extremely unstable airmass exists throughout the
region with dewpoints in the mid to upper 70s and MUCAPE values
exceeding 5000 j/kg. Off the charts DCAPE values suggest that
severe winds will be the primary threat with storms today. There
have already been reports of trees down the just north of the area
in the PAH CWA. Hail is a secondary threat but large hail will
have a hard time not melting significantly before reaching the
ground due to very warm air existing below 600mb. However, melting
hail may increase downdraft speeds furthermore increasing the
severe wind threat.

Heat indices around the Mid-South have ranged from 110-105
degrees this afternoon, making today one of the warmest days we've
experienced in some time. Warm conditions will continue through
the evening in areas that aren't effected by storms. Expect
another warm day areawide tomorrow with heat index readings once
again exceeding 105 degrees. The heat advisory may be expanded in
area again overnight to include more counties in NW Mississippi.
The heat advisory may also have to be extended into Friday but it
will depend on the timing of a surface front that will bring
slight relief to the region. Added chances of pops area wide on
Friday to account for any storms that may form along the front.

A steep upper level ridge will have built over the eastern plains
by the end of the week into the weekend while high pressure at the
surface controls the weather pattern for the whole eastern half of
the U.S. through early next week. This will result in less humid,
drier, slightly cooler conditions through the extended period.

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAFs

Conditions during the first half of the period will flirt with
MVFR/VFR cigs and tempo IFR VSBY as expected broken line of storms
pass through the sites. Otherwise conditions will improve to VFR
during the latter half...with light fog possible at MKL. Southwest
winds at 8-12 kts...with higher/variable gusts during storms. Winds
will diminish some overnight...turning more westerly late.

JAB

&&

.MEG Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
AR...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT Thursday for Clay-Craighead-
     Crittenden-Cross-Greene-Lawrence-Lee AR-Mississippi-
     Phillips-Poinsett-Randolph-St. Francis.

MO...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT Thursday for Dunklin-Pemiscot.

MS...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT Thursday for Coahoma-DeSoto-
     Lafayette-Marshall-Panola-Quitman-Tallahatchie-Tate-Tunica-
     Yalobusha.

TN...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT Thursday for Crockett-Dyer-Fayette-
     Gibson-Haywood-Lake-Lauderdale-Madison-Obion-Shelby-Tipton-
     Weakley.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 15, 11:05 AM CST, 3 hours 18 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1205 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

ARZ008-009-017-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MOZ113-115-
MSZ001>017-020>024-TNZ001>004-019>022-048>055-088>092-161915-
ALCORN-BENTON MS-BENTON TN-CALHOUN-CARROLL-CHESTER-CHICKASAW-CLAY-
COAHOMA-CRAIGHEAD-CRITTENDEN-CROCKETT-CROSS-DESOTO-DECATUR-
DUNKLIN-DYER-FAYETTE-GIBSON-GREENE-HARDEMAN-HARDIN-HAYWOOD-
HENDERSON-HENRY-ITAWAMBA-LAFAYETTE-LAKE-LAUDERDALE-LAWRENCE-
LEE AR-LEE MS-MADISON-MARSHALL-MCNAIRY-MISSISSIPPI-MONROE-OBION-
PANOLA-PEMISCOT-PHILLIPS-POINSETT-PONTOTOC-PRENTISS-QUITMAN-
RANDOLPH-SHELBY-ST. FRANCIS-TALLAHATCHIE-TATE-TIPPAH-TIPTON-
TISHOMINGO-TUNICA-UNION-WEAKLEY-YALOBUSHA-
1205 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EAST ARKANSAS...
THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL...NORTH MISSISSIPPI...AND WEST TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS NORTH AND EAST OF
A JONESBORO ARKANSAS TO A BOONEVILLE MISSISSIPPI LINE. DAMAGING
WINDS IS THE PRIMARY THREAT. LOCALIZED HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLASH
FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

A HEAT ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR AREAS WEST OF A DRESDEN
TENNESEE TO A COFFEEVILLE MISSISSIPPI LINE INTO TONIGHT AS HEAT
INDEX VALUES WILL REACH OR EXCEED 105 DEGREES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

A HEAT ADVISORY IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN EFFECT ACROSS WESTERN
AREAS OF THE MIDSOUTH AT LEAST THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING WHERE
HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL AVERAGE BETWEEN 105 TO 109 DEGREES.

A FEW STRONG TO PERHAPS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE LATE
THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY AS A COLD FRONT SLOWLY MOVES INTO THE
LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING
IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER OPERATIONS.

JAB

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 15, 12:22 PM CST, 2 hours 1 minute before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
122 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

MOZ113-151845-
DUNKLIN MO-
122 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 145 PM CDT FOR...

NORTHEASTERN DUNKLIN COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI...

AT 122 PM CDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING PEA SIZE HAIL OR
LARGER AND WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH WAS LOCATED NEAR BERNIE...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN ALONG WITH CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.

PEOPLE IN NORTHEASTERN DUNKLIN COUNTY SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM
CLOSELY.

LAT...LON 3663 8996 3655 8996 3651 9022 3654 9021
      3655 9019 3657 9018 3659 9019 3660 9016
      3661 9017 3662 9016 3663 9016 3662 9015
      3663 9015
TIME...MOT...LOC 1822Z 242DEG 49KT 3666 9004

Special weather statement, Jun 15, 12:39 PM CST, 1 hour 44 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
139 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

MOZ113-151915-
DUNKLIN MO-
139 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 215 PM CDT FOR...

NORTHEASTERN DUNKLIN COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI...

AT 139 PM CDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING PEA SIZE HAIL OR
LARGER AND WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH WAS LOCATED OVER MALDEN...MOVING
EAST AT 35 MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN ALONG WITH CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.

PEOPLE IN NORTHEASTERN DUNKLIN COUNTY SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM
CLOSELY.

LAT...LON 3663 8996 3655 8995 3653 8996 3647 8996
      3657 9019 3659 9019 3660 9016 3661 9017
      3662 9016 3663 9016 3662 9015 3663 9015
TIME...MOT...LOC 1839Z 282DEG 29KT 3661 8999

Special weather statement, Jun 15, 1:09 PM CST, 1 hour 14 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
209 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

TNZ002>004-022-152000-
WEAKLEY TN-BENTON TN-HENRY TN-OBION TN-
209 PM CDT WED JUN 15 2016

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 300 PM CDT FOR...

NORTHERN WEAKLEY COUNTY IN WEST TENNESSEE...
NORTH CENTRAL BENTON COUNTY IN WEST TENNESSEE...
NORTHERN HENRY COUNTY IN WEST TENNESSEE...
NORTHEASTERN OBION COUNTY IN WEST TENNESSEE...

AT 209 PM CDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH
WAS LOCATED NEAR LATHAM...OR NEAR FULTON...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

${REPORT2}

PEOPLE IN NORTHERN WEAKLEY...NORTH CENTRAL BENTON...NORTHERN HENRY
AND NORTHEASTERN OBION COUNTIES SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY.

LAT...LON 3628 8909 3650 8908 3650 8806 3644 8806
      3636 8799
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 269DEG 32KT 3651 8876

The radar

The Paducah radar (KPAH), 84 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:20 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Obion

When: June 15, 2:23 PM CST to 2:30 PM CST
Where: Obion County, 0.76 mi E of Spout Spgs
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.431, -89.286

Trained spotter sent picture of quarter size hail on Twitter.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: June 15, 2:30 PM CST to 2:45 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 3.13 mi WSW of Way to 1.63 mi SSW of Eva
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.110, -88.055

Trees and power lines down between Camden and Eva.

Thunderstorm Wind, Obion

When: June 15, 2:35 PM CST to 2:55 PM CST
Where: Obion County, 0.49 mi NNW of Fremont to 1.69 mi N of Gibbs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.436, -89.204

Trees down all over Kenn-Tenn Highway, West Highway 22 and Shawtown Road in Union City.

Thunderstorm Wind, Weakley

When: June 15, 2:50 PM CST to 3:10 PM CST
Where: Weakley County, 0.56 mi SW of Terrell to 0.91 mi SW of Gardner
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.375, -88.938

Trees down on houses and cars at HWY 431 and Capps Road. In addition, multiple trees down on Cypress road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: June 15, 3:00 PM CST to 3:10 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1.31 mi NW of Lipe to 0.07 mi SSE of Sawyers Mill
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.041, -88.189

Trees blocking roadway at Divider, Natchez Trace, Stigall Road and Highway 70 and Flatwood roads west of Camden.

Thunderstorm Wind, Obion

When: June 15, 3:50 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Obion County, 1.88 mi SE of Fremont to 1.31 mi W of Mc Cutchen Hgts
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.411, -89.176

Many trees down across Obion County.

Flash Flood, Obion

When: June 15, 4:09 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Obion County, Troy to 1.17 mi NW of Wolverine
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.350, -89.170

Low lying fields flooded and water covering roads in and around Troy.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: June 15, 7:15 PM CST to 7:20 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, 1.68 mi NE of Germantown to 0.52 mi NNE of Forest Hill
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.094, -89.795

Trees down in Germantown.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in Tennessee, June 2016

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 637897, 637899, 637901, 637903, 637905, 637907, 637909, 637910.