At 1:27 p.m. CDT Thursday, Doppler radar tracked a cluster of strong thunderstorms near Flowood moving northeast at 10 mph, threatening northern Rankin, east-central Hinds and southeastern Madison counties through 2:30 p.m. CDT, according to the alert. The advisory said radar-indicated wind gusts could reach 50 mph and that hail was negligible.
The warning said gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Torrential rainfall is occurring with the storm and may lead to localized flooding. Motorists were urged not to drive through flooded roadways and anyone outdoors was advised to seek shelter inside a building.
Communities listed in the advisory included Jackson, Madison, Ridgeland, Canton, Flowood, Gluckstadt, Pisgah, Goshen Springs and Fannin. Jackson is the state capital and part of the area often affected by summer storms.
Severe thunderstorms are common in Mississippi during summer months as warm, humid air fuels rapid storm development. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
