MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Update 4 p.m. - From reporter Brad Broders: Those with the Shelby County Office of Emergency Management are closely monitoring the storm maps and won't leave until all storms pass through Shelby County later Wednesday evening.
The on-again, off-again downpours wreaked havoc Wednesday afternoon across the city of Memphis, including flash flooding at the underpasses on North Parkway and Watkins and Riverside Drive near Crump.
-----------------------------------------
Update 1:30 p.m. - From reporter Brad Broders: The City of Memphis continues to respond and monitor heavy rains and the threat of severe weather Wednesday.
"There are about 25 such locations across the city where crews will always check one of those before we have rain events," City of Memphis Public Works Director Robert Knecht said.
"A little bit of debris can lead to localized flooding," Knecht added. "We've been experiencing minor flooding earlier Wednesday, no large number of downed trees."
As of 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, the only reports of downed trees were in the 1000 block of Parkland Road, near Park and Getwell.
"We'll be monitoring downed trees if downed trees occur, typically we will staff and respond as well because we have to removed those downed trees from the public right of way," Knecht said. "We are obviously very aware that there is a high risk of damaging winds and flooding, so we are going to monitoring that throughout the rest of the day and staffing accordingly."
----------------------------------------------
UPDATE 1:15 p.m. - From the City of Memphis: "Due to ongoing severe weather and an active tornado watch in the area, Solid Waste collection services are suspended for Wednesday, March 17. Services will resume tomorrow on a one day delay through Saturday.
Wednesday customers should place their carts curbside Thursday by 7 a.m. for collection. We ask that customers retrieve garbage and recycle carts from the curb to reduce the potential of scattering debris. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
The contractor (Waste Pro), will make every effort to complete all collection services by Sunday, weather permitting."
-----------------------------------------------
11:22 p.m. - (CITY OF MEMPHIS NEWS RELEASE) - The City of Memphis is prepared for potential effects of high wind and heavy rains beginning this morning through tonight. Public Works crews have prepped for the storm by inspecting and clearing storm drains, inlets, and checking other essential areas to help minimize potential for street flooding.
City streets sometimes experience standing water in low-lying areas for a short duration due to drainage systems being overwhelmed by the amount of rainfall. To help alleviate this, please do not put loose trash or debris in the street next to the curb or near drains. These types of temporary ponding typically subside once heavier rainfall amounts end. If such areas do not drain off quickly please notify the City so that it can be investigated.
We encourage residents who’ve had instances of water entering their homes or accumulating on their property to take early measures to prevent or divert water by clearing storm drains near their homes because crews will not be able to take care of every drain inlet. Clearing gutters, downspouts and nearby storm drains can help reduce the chance of residential flooding. Storm equipment and personnel are on standby to respond to flooding related emergencies over the next 48 hours.
Residents should not drive through standing water, near downed trees or utility lines, or around road closure barricades. For additional information or assistance, Drain Maintenance can be reached at 901-357-0100. To report power outages, please call MLGW at 901-544-6500. To report downed trees, please call 311 and to report downed trees and for after-hours contact OEM at 901-636-2525.
