Severe thunderstorms can, and do, occur anytime of the day and night and during any month of the year. Damaging thunderstorm winds are much more common in Tennessee than tornadoes. Winds from severe thunderstorms can well exceed 100 mph, overturning trailers, unroofing homes, and toppling trees and power lines. Most of the storm damage in the Mid-South is caused by straight line winds from thunderstorm downbursts. Severe Thunderstorm wind speeds may exceed the wind speeds of a weak tornadoes.
All thunderstorms are capable of producing deadly lightning.
Go to a sturdy building that will withstand high winds. Avoid electrical appliances, metal pipes and corded telephones. When a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued for your location, treat it the same as you would a Tornado Warning. Remember that severe thunderstorms can produce damaging winds, large hail and deadly lightning.