--- title: Tornado outbreak likely today across the South, with significant potential for damage and disruption to businesses description: A volatile day is in store for many states across the south, with high potential for dangerous tornadoes image: https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/thursevere.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tornado-outbreak-likely-today-across-the-south-with-significant-potential-for-damage-and-disruption-to-businesses#main-content) [![accuweather-business-white-01](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-white-01.svg "accuweather-business-white-01")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) Learn & Support [Overview](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [![accu-winter-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-winter-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-winter-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) Webinar [Take the Worry out of Winter: Risk Mitigation](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) [![accu-hurricane-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-hurricane-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-hurricane-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) Blog [How your business can help without becoming a victim](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) - [Let's Get Started](https://afb.accuweather.com/lets-get-started) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [Home](https://afb.accuweather.com/)  /  [Weather Now](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/weather-now) # Tornado outbreak likely today across the South, with significant potential for damage and disruption to businesses Posted by [Becky DePodwin](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/becky-depodwin) on Mar 25, 2021 ![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thursevere.jpeg?width=1200&height=628&name=thursevere.jpeg) Summary ## A volatile day is in store for many states across the South, with high potential for dangerous tornadoes Key Highlights #### Threats: Long-tracked tornadoes, damaging winds, flooding rain, large hail, lightning #### States affected: LA, AR, MS, AL, TN, KY, MO, IL, GA #### When: Thursday, March 25 ## Dangerous Severe Setup An extremely dangerous situation is set to unfold across the south today into tonight, with all types of severe weather expected. Much of this area was impacted by [severe storms last week.](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/increasing-risk-for-dangerous-storms-this-week-large-tornadoes-possible) All severe hazards can occur during this event, including hail, damaging winds and tornadoes, with the highest risk of tornadoes across portions of western and middle Tennessee, far southwestern Kentucky, northern Alabama, northern and central Mississippi and far eastern Arkansas Thursday afternoon and evening ## Violent Tornadoes and Damaging Winds The environment is favorable for any tornadoes that form to be **large, long-tracked, and violent,** so it is imperative to know where the place of shelter or refuge is within your business and ensure all persons on-site are able to safely reach and stay within shelter for the duration of the tornado warning.  Supercell storms today are also capable of producing damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph, which should be responded to in the same manner as a tornado threat, given the potential for lofted and wind-driven debris. ## Large Hail Large hail of 2 inches in diameter is also expected today, along with the threat of lightning from any storm that forms. Outdoor workers should have a way to receive warnings or be notified of impending threats and have a hardened place to shelter, keeping in mind that large hail can easily shatter windshields and roofs of vehicles. ![flood-3](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flood-3.jpeg?width=1300&name=flood-3.jpeg) ## Flash Flooding There is a widespread risk of flooding with this strengthening system as storms produce extremely heavy rainfall from the South through the Tennessee Valley and Ohio Valley. Rivers and creeks are likely to overflow, producing flooding in adjacent areas, along with localized street flooding.  The greatest risk for flooding to occur will be from central Kentucky southward to Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, including cities like Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans. Rainfall amounts of up to 15 inches are possible through tonight. These storms will pose a significant threat to life and property, as well as the potential for prolonged business disruption. Make sure your [organization is fully prepared for severe weather](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/severe-weather-and-your-organization-how-executives-can-be-prepared) by incorporating site-specific alerts into your emergency procedures. [Protect your employees and assets by signing up for a SkyGuard demo today. ](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tornado-outbreak-likely-today-across-the-south-with-significant-potential-for-damage-and-disruption-to-businesses#form) - Expect ground logistics disruption due to downed trees and power lines, especially along portions of I-20, I-40, and I-55 - Damaging hail could impact outdoor activities, equipment and inventory - Temporary structures designed for COVID-19 response will be especially at risk from high winds, tornadoes and hail - Protect your company against liability by ensuring all employees know the actions to take during severe weather  - Identify time needed for equipment shutdowns and travel times to shelter  - Storm shelters should be well-marked and equipped with a disaster supply kit - Integrate protective actions directly into warning messages ## Partner with us to weather the storm ### Demo SkyGuard today. ## The latest from AccuWeather For Business [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202021-03-10%20at%209.02.42%20AM.png?width=506&height=265&name=Screen%20Shot%202021-03-10%20at%209.02.42%20AM.png)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/rockies-blizzard-and-major-plains-flooding-to-cause-widespread-business-disruption-over-the-weekend) ### [Rockies blizzard and major Plains flooding to cause widespread business disruption over the weekend](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/rockies-blizzard-and-major-plains-flooding-to-cause-widespread-business-disruption-over-the-weekend) A slow-moving, multi-hazard storm will develop late this week, bringing heavy snow to the Central... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/rockies-blizzard-and-major-plains-flooding-to-cause-widespread-business-disruption-over-the-weekend) --- 2 minute read • Mar 10, 2021 [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flood-2.jpeg?width=506&height=265&name=flood-2.jpeg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/repeated-rounds-of-rain-and-storms-to-cause-business-disruption-through-this-week) ### [Repeated rounds of rain and storms to cause business disruption throughout this week](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/repeated-rounds-of-rain-and-storms-to-cause-business-disruption-through-this-week) Flooding Potential Response and recovery efforts underway in areas affected by last week’s severe... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/repeated-rounds-of-rain-and-storms-to-cause-business-disruption-through-this-week) --- 2 minute read • Mar 22, 2021 [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/16-2.jpeg?width=506&height=265&name=16-2.jpeg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/drenching-rain-gusty-winds-thunderstorms-eye-business-in-the-east-for-christmas-eve) ### [Christmas Eve: Drenching rain, gusty winds, thunderstorms to threaten businesses](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/drenching-rain-gusty-winds-thunderstorms-eye-business-in-the-east-for-christmas-eve) Stronger storms look to move through Alabama, Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas Thursday into... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/drenching-rain-gusty-winds-thunderstorms-eye-business-in-the-east-for-christmas-eve) --- 1 minute read • Dec 22, 2020 ## Want our stories delivered straight to you? Subscribe to our blog today! 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