KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — //**A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for parts of Morgan County, Rhea County, Meigs County, Scott County, Knox County, Roane County, Loudon County and Anderson County until 7:30 p.m. EDT.**//
A Tornado Warning was issued Tuesday evening until 7 p.m. EDT for some parts of East Tennessee, as storms moved through through the area. It has since expired, but at around the same time, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for parts of East Tennessee — highlighting the risk of rain across the region.
The Severe Thunderstorm Warning lasts until 7:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. The rain could lead to flooding concerns in the coming days.
The first round of rain is not expected to have as much impact as the rain that's expected to sweep through the area on Wednesday. However, drought conditions have dried much of the area and put East Tennessee at a higher risk for flooding.
During storms, people should remember never to drive through puddles. There's no way to tell how deep they are, and driving through a flooded area can damage cars and trap people inside. Whenever anyone hears thunder, they should also head indoors.
When will the weather impact me the most?
Tuesday's Severe Thunderstorm Watch is scheduled to last until around 8 p.m. and during it, people should stay wary of possible flooding damage. The watch was issued for areas in the plateau, and for some of Southeast Kentucky. Those include areas like Wartburg, Crossville, Jamestown, La Follette and Williamsburg.
Similar areas of East Tennessee and Kentucky are also at an "elevated" risk for severe storms, the second-lowest category. The rest of East Tennessee is at a "possible" risk for severe storms, the lowest category.
Scattered showers and storms are expected to continue overnight into Wednesday — even after the watch expires. The rain could develop into more widespread storms, which can lead to flooding. Due to those concerns, Wednesday will also be a Weather Impact Alert Day.
How can the weather impact me?
Heavy rain can cause flooding, block roads and potentially damage homes. People should take precautions in case of flooding, such as staying vigilant in areas prone to floods. Anyone on the road when storms roll in should also make sure not to drive through large puddles.
Often, puddles can be deeper than they appear and trying to drive through them can damage cars and trap people inside them. Avoid puddles while on the road. If there's thunder, people should also take shelter inside a sturdy building.
