I did the same thing, I was watching the lightning when it started from 50 miles away and it was wild! I went out several times as it past North of me and went towards Reelfoot. It was crazy to see the lightning in a storm that far away.
Really sad and terrible storm. I watched the wild lightning storm from the big tornado cell as it crossed the MS river, helped neighbors into the shelters and got word it was passing to the north of us.... Prayers to all those suffering from this tragedy.