SEVERE WEATHER WARNING: STRONG THUNDERSTORMS THREATEN MORGAN AND CUMBERLAND COUNTIES WITH HIGH WINDS AND FLOODING
Slow-moving, potent thunderstorms are pushing through parts of Morgan and Cumberland counties this afternoon, bringing damaging wind gusts, torrential downpours, small hail, and frequent lightning to local communities.
Emergency officials and Doppler radar tracked the primary storm cell 11 miles west of Wartburg around 2:09 PM EDT. Crawling eastward at just 5 mph, the system poses an extended threat to southwestern Morgan County through at least 3:00 PM EDT. Affected locations include Sunbright, High Point, Deerlodge, and Frozen Head State Park. The storm is delivering wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea-sized hail, intense rainfall capable of triggering localized flooding, and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning strike activity.
Concurrently, a second strong cell was detected tracking southeast at 10 mph near Fairfield Glade, approximately 9 miles northwest of Rockwood. The National Weather Service warns that this system carries elevated wind risks, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph alongside pea-sized hail. Impacted areas include Fairfield Glade, Crab Orchard, Lake Tansi, and Cumberland Mountain State Park, with heavy impacts expected along Interstate 40 between mile markers 324 and 339.
Safety & Damage Risks:
- Wind & Hail: Gusts up to 50 mph are strong enough to snap tree limbs, down utility lines, and toss unanchored outdoor objects. Minor hail damage to local vegetation and crops is expected.
- Flooding: Heavy, localized rainfall creates a sudden threat of flash flooding on low-lying ground and roads. Residents in the path of either storm are urged to move indoors immediately to a sturdy building. Officials remind the public that lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the center of a storm, and drivers should exercise extreme caution—never attempt to drive through flooded roadways or standing water.
