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Tornadoes in Middle Tennessee have resulted in at least six deaths and left over 150,000 people without power. The severe storms triggered the National Weather Service to issue a “tornado emergency” alert for parts of Middle Tennessee for the first time in over a decade. Significant damage to buildings and infrastructure has been reported, with three Red Cross shelters opened for those affected.
Tornadoes Tear Through Middle Tennessee, Claim Six Lives and Cause Power Outages
Middle Tennessee was hit by powerful tornadoes on Saturday, causing six confirmed fatalities and leaving over 150,000 residents without power. The severe weather resulted in extensive damage to structures and homes, power line failures, and a considerable number of fallen trees.
Three victims perished in Clarksville, as confirmed by the Montgomery County Mayor’s Office, while another three were reported dead in Madison by the Nashville Office of Emergency Management. Additionally, 23 people are undergoing treatment for storm-related injuries in various hospitals.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued numerous tornado warnings on Saturday, targeting various parts of Middle Tennessee. Regions affected include Clarksville, Nashville, Madison, Hendersonville, and Gallatin. A “tornado emergency” was also declared for parts of Middle Tennessee, the first in over a decade, stated NWS meteorologist Sam Shamburger.
\”Maria and I are praying for all Tennesseans who have been impacted by the tornadoes that swept through the state this evening,\” said Gov. Bill Lee, expressing sorrow for the lives lost and urging citizens to follow instructions from local and state officials.
TRACKING DAMAGE: Possible tornadoes kill 6 in Middle Tennessee
Nashville police identify victims, Nashville mayor declares state of emergency
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell declared a state of emergency in Davidson County following the tragic loss of three lives, including a two-year-old boy, in the ensuing storms.
\”Today a storm turned the world upside down for many in our community,\” he said, emphasizing his heartbreak over the loss and the ongoing work of first responders to reach hard-to-reach areas. Essential services like the Office of Emergency Management and the Nashville Fire Department are actively searching for trapped individuals and assessing structural damage.
The Red Cross announced the opening of three shelters on Saturday night at Northeast High School in Clarksville, Beech High School in Hendersonville, and Isaac Litton Middle School in Nashville.
Damage and aftermath of the storm
Residents of areas hit by the storm reported extensive damage. In Madison, Lyanne Garay found parts of her roof blown off and a fence toppled when she returned home. Further down her street, homes were devastated, and three people were confirmed dead.
Officials urge residents to stay safe, avoid affected areas, and heed the advice of first responders and officials on the ground. Support for those impacted by the storm will be announced in the coming days.
Power outages, emergency responses across Middle Tennessee
Power outages affected over 150,000 customers across Middle Tennessee on Saturday evening, according to Middle Tennessee Electric, Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Dickson Electric, and Nashville Electric Service.
The impact of the storm also led to the issuing of a ground stop at Nashville International Airport, effective until 6:30 p.m. as high winds and storms raged on.
Several counties reported “significant” storm damage, with emergency crews working tirelessly to respond to active emergencies, including downed lines, gas leaks, and structural collapses.
Storm Damage in Clarksville, Madison, and Hendersonville
Clarksville in Montgomery County, Cumberland Furnace in Stewart County, Springfield in Robertson County, Madison in Davidson County, and Hendersonville and Gallatin in Sumner County were among the most impacted by Saturday’s tornadoes.
As of 5:05 p.m., high wind gusts were reported in the Nashville area, and a tornado was confirmed to have touched down in Montgomery County, near Tennessee’s border with Kentucky.
High wind gusts and severe thunderstorms continued to affect the region, with storm damage reports indicating widespread impact. The Nashville Department of Transportation urged citizens to stay off roads, stay clear of downed lines, and to report any concerns rather than attempt DIY fixes.
The severe weather is expected to have far-reaching impacts, with more information on supporting those impacted due to be released in the coming days.
Tennessee Rep. Ronnie Glynn urged people to stay off the roads to allow first responders to do their jobs and encouraged those displaced from their homes to seek shelter at Northeast High School in Clarksville.
More: Nashville, Middle TN ravaged by high winds, possible tornadoes
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