The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a heat advisory which remains in effect this afternoon, June 19 2009, through this evening for the entire mid south. Heat indices will remain near 105 degrees this afternoon.

The heat advisory continues through Saturday, June 20, 2009 with indices hear 105 degrees for most of the mid south.

To help citizens stay safe and healthy during this heat wave, Shelby County Major A. C. Wharton has activated a "heat information" phone hot line.

The Heat Information Line number is: 901.545.HEAT

This phone number is a valuable resource for all questions and concerns about the current extreme summer temperatures we are experiencing, location of cooling centers and information about fans for seniors.

The phone lines will be manned daily and weekends from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Memphis, Tennessee has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in the mid south during the severe thunderstorms on June 12, 2009.

Bartlett, Tennessee, in Shelby County, was hit by an EF1 tornado with winds up to 105 miles per hour. Extensive damage could be seen along Highway 14 and along Covington Pike. An EF1 tornado can carry winds of 86 - 110 miles per hour and may cause moderate damage.

A second tornado, rated as an EF2, carrying winds of up to 120 miles per hour, smashed into Olive Branch, Mississippi, in Desoto County, on Highway 78 near Goodman Road. An EF2 tornado carries winds of 111 - 135 miles per hour and could leave behind considerable damage.

No serious injuries or deaths have been reported from either tornado.

Shelby County, Tennessee also suffered straight-line winds in excess of 60 to 80 miles per hour, which contributed to wide-spread power outages throughout the county. Straight line winds are produced by thunderstorms and exceed 58 miles per hour.

Tree damage and debris is severe and many power lines are down and must be repaired.

Thousands are still without electrical power in both counties as of Monday, June 15, 2009.

Utility companies in both counties have reported it may take a long as a week to get all power restored to homes and businesses.

The Shelby County Office of Preparedness HLS / EMA, under the direction of Bob Nations, Jr., urges citizens to be prepared for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

FCC Hosts Free Clinics


On June 12, 2009 all full-powered television stations will convert from analog to digital broadcasting.

Analog televisions that are not connected to a digital-to-analog converter box or a subscription-type cable or satellite service will stop working on this date.

The "big switch" was authorized by the U.S. Congress.

Digital television is an advanced broadcasting technology that offers a better picture (HD or high definition) and sound quality, multiple programming choices, multicasting (which allows stations to offer several channels of digital programming at the same time), and interactive capabilities for the viewer.

The Shelby County Office of Preparedness HLS / EMA and the Shelby County Citizen Corps Council invite all citizens to sign for a free email bulletin subscription from the Federal Emergency Management Agency / Citizen Corps.

The email alerts send immediate disaster-related information directly to your computer or wireless device.

The Shelby County Office of Preparedness HLS / Emergency Management Agency and the National Safety Council reminds citizens that June is National Safety Month.