Severe weather expected in Southeast Missouri tonight

A powerful storm system is expected to move through Southeast Missouri today, bringing with it the possibility of damaging winds, locally heavy rainfall, dangerous lightning and small hail. Winds could gust as high as 40 miles per hour, prompting a high wind watch from late tonight through Wednesday evening.

David Humphrey, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Ky., said that winds could down trees, limbs and power lines. One to two inches of rainfall is possible through Wednesday morning, causing localized flooding where drains are clogged from debris associated with the January winter storm.

"People need to be careful, especially in outdoor areas where limbs are hanging on trees and vulnerable to fall," Humphrey said.