A meeting was held Friday morning with area emergency responders to discuss the potential for damaging storms, which could roll into the area as early as 5 p.m.
The potential for high, damaging winds is greater for the local area, according to officials, who met at the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
“The storm prediction center has the entire region at advanced risk, three out of five, for severe thunderstorms,” said Sean Poulos of the National Weather Service.
Warnings go into effect from 6-10 p.m., he added, but storms could begin as early as 5 p.m. or as late as 7-9 p.m. The advanced risk zone extends from Ripley and Carter counties to northern Kentucky, west Tennessee and southern Illinois.
The weather system will move through in two parts, the first being individual super cell thunderstorms moving northeast followed by a storm line arriving with an eastbound cold front.
The entire system is expected to be fast moving.
For residents of Butler County and beyond, NWS predicts a 30% chance of high winds, 15% chance of hail and 10% chance of tornadoes. There may also be a second storm line.
“It may not be a one-and-done thing,” Poulos said.
Keith Berry of the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team explained a 10% risk of tornadoes in an area means 10% of the area has high potential for tornadoes, and not that there is only a 10% chance of any tornado forming.
Straightline winds are also damaging.
“Straightlines can be almost as bad as a tornado, and more widespread,” he explained, and encouraged residents to secure outdoor items and Christmas decorations.
He also said power outages are possible.
According to NWS, tornadoes are more dangerous at night than in the daytime because they are nearly impossible to see, and tornado sirens are not loud enough to be heard indoors.
Berry urged people to have their emergency radios in working order, weather apps updated and settings loud enough to alert them in the middle of the night. They should also tune in to local news outlets, which are in direct contact with NWS and are thus one of the fastest ways to get severe weather updates.
“Keep your ear to the local media, because they do get the word out quick,” Berry said.
NWS will continue updating its predictions throughout the day.
These storms will be the second severe weather event this month, something Poulos remarked was unusual, and is ushered in by new record temperature values today in the high 60s and lower 70s.
“The environment is definitely primed for a significant weather event,” he said.
In the event of a tornado, NWS advises everyone to retreat to an interior room without windows on the lowest level of residence, ideally a basement, and cover themselves with blankets, pillows or whatever is at hand to protect from falling or flying debris.
Attending the discussion were members of the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Severe Weather Response Team, Butler County Emergency Management Agency, Butler County Health Department and other local agencies.