BROOKHAVEN — Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Reid said the initial damage from strong winds Monday have been downed trees and power lines. Already, fire departments have responded to a couple of small fires caused by the downed power lines. 

Reid said one of those fires was along US84 East and several Volunteer Fire Departments responded to it. Brookhaven Fire Department responded to an equipment fire at the Brookhaven Pellet Mill Monday morning and fought another fire on Manufacturers Boulevard by Walmart Distribution Center caused by a downed power line. 

Wind gusts reached 40 mph and sustained speeds of 25 mph around noon Monday according to the National Weather Service in Jackson.

As of 4 p.m., Magnolia Electric reports 44 customers in Lincoln County are without power and 238 customers in Pike County are without power. Southwest Electric reports  101 customers in Franklin County are without power. Entergy reports 197 customers are without power in Lincoln County and 67 are without power in Lawrence County. 

Lincoln County is under a wind advisory from Monday at 9 a.m. to Tuesday at 1 a.m. Wind gusts reached 40 mph and sustained speeds of 25 mph according to NWS Jackson observation data in Lincoln County.

Severe storms are also likely Monday night. NWS Jackson warns the storms could reach Lincoln County between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. There is a likely chance winds could reach up to 7o mph with hail up to a quarter in size. NWS Jackson warns strong tornadoes are possible with this storm as Lincoln County is under an enhanced risk. Since January 1, 2024, six tornadoes have touched down in Mississippi. Three tornadoes touched down in George County, one in Union County and two in Lowndes County.

Flash flooding is possible with nearly two inches of rain forecasted in a few hours. Localized higher amounts are possible with thunderstorms. Low lying and urban areas could be prone to this flash flooding risk. The timing of this risk is Monday afternoon into the night.

Check back for more weather updates as this storm rolls in.