Severe thunderstorm moves east near Star, Florence

At 1:57 p.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Star or near Florence and was moving east at 40 mph, radar indicated. The storm was producing golf-ball size hail and posed an immediate threat to people and animals outdoors.

Radar indicated the storm would affect Braxton, Harrisville, Star and Piney Woods around 2:00 p.m. CDT; D’Lo and Cato around 2:05 p.m.; Mendenhall around 2:10 p.m.; Puckett around 2:15 p.m.; and Martinville around 2:20 p.m.

Impacts include potential injury to people and animals outdoors and damage to roofs, siding, windows and vehicles. Radar indicated a maximum hail size of 1.75 inches and maximum wind gusts of less than 50 mph. Large hail, damaging wind and continuous cloud-to-ground lightning were occurring with the storm, and torrential rainfall may lead to flash flooding.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers; if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck. Do not drive through flooded roadways. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.