Tornado watch issued

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 6 a.m. for the following Southeast Missouri counties: Cape Girardeau, Scott, Perry, Bollinger, Wayne, Carter, Ripley, Butler, Stoddard and new Madrid.

This includes the Southeast Missouri cities of Perryville, Marble Hill, Cape Girardeau, Piedmont, Van Buren, Doniphan, Poplar Bluff, Bloomfield, Sikeston, and New Madrid

Widespread showers and thunderstorms will continue to stream northeast across Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois along and to the west of Interstate 57 early this morning. Individual showers and storms will move northeast at 60 to 70 miles an hour through 5 a.m.

The potential for severe thunderstorms with damaging straight line winds and even a stray tornado will increase. In addition...a period of torrential rainfall...and frequent lightning will accompany any thunderstorms this morning. Even outside of the precipitation, southerly winds will increase through the morning with frequent gusts to 40 miles an hour are expected throughout the region through 5 a.m.

A high wind warning is in effect for the entire area today.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado and you should stay tuned to local media for possible warnings. If warned of a tornado, be prepared to move to your basement, a center hallyway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor.