Severe storm system brings threat of significant tornadoes, flooding to Tennessee. What to know

Severe storms and tornadoes carved a path of destruction through communities in Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and even into Tennessee this week. And now the state is about to be hit again.

Wednesday morning brought bouts of severe weather to areas across the state, especially in Middle Tennessee, and there is even more to come in the next 24 hours, but what impact these storms will have is still a bit uncertain, according to the National Weather Service's forecast discussion on Wednesday.

"...things are very complex and not clear cut, so it`s imperative for everyone to be weather aware all day today into tonight," read the short term weather discussion. "This is not a 'one and done' type of event."

It may be a complex weather pattern coming through, but there are several things meteorologist do know for sure as we head into Thursday, there's potential for high winds, flooding and hail across the whole state.

Here's what to expect weather wise in Tennessee over the next couple of days.

Weather watch Tennessee: Possibility for flooding, winds, tornadoes

The National Weather Service expects a regional severe weather outbreak that could hit Tennessee communities late Wednesday afternoon through the night across the Mississippi River Valley and Tennessee Valley.

The threats include:

• Widespread damaging winds

• Very large hail

• Tornadoes (including EF-2+ strength). The tornado threat is highest along and west of Interstate 75 near Knoxville.

• Scattered to possibly numerous instances of flooding are likely, especially west of Interstate 75

Potential for tornadoes in Tennessee

Forecasters at the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued dire warnings for a significant tornado outbreak in the central U.S. that could impact millions of people from Texas to the Dakotas on Monday. Two radar-confirmed tornadoes, one each in Wilson and DeKalb counties, occurred. No significant damage was reported, according to the weather service, but storm surveys were out on Tuesday to see the damage.

There is potential for more as the storm that hit the Midwest on Monday and Tuesday continues its track east across Tennessee and toward the Carolinas.

"...it should be noted that this system has already produced numerous tornadoes, including some strong to violent, across the Great Plains to places along and north of the Ohio River Valley. This event will also almost certainly continue to the overnight hours, presenting a nocturnal severe weather threat," read the National Weather Services forecast discussion.

Flood watches and other warnings in effect for Tennessee communities

Tennessee, along with Kentucky and Missouri, are under flood watches through Thursday, according to the weather service. Some local areas may get 2 to 5 inches of total rainfall.

Latest weather reports for Tennessee

Knoxville, East TN weather updates: Storms are coming to Knoxville and East Tennessee. When we might see hail or tornadoes

Nashville, Middle TN weather updates: Flash flood warning in effect for parts of Middle Tennessee

Memphis, West TN weather updates: Storms could being heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes to Mid-South

What is a tornado warning?

When a tornado warning is issued it means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property.

Here are some suggestions from the National Weather Service if a tornado warning is issued for your area:

• Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building

• Avoid windows

• If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris

Warnings typically are for a much smaller area that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar, a trained spotter or law enforcement who is watching the storm, according to National Weather Service.

What is a tornado emergency?

A  step above a tornado warning, issued by the National Weather Service in “exceedingly rare” situations, when:

• A severe threat to human life or catastrophic damage is imminent or ongoing.

• Visual or radar evidence such as a reliable source confirms a tornado or a radar picks up the signature of a ball of debris inside the tornado.

Tennessee power outage map

Tennessee weather radar

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Significant tornado outbreak, severe weather expected in Tennessee