Search and Rescue Efforts Underway as Tennessee Tornadoes Claim at Least 6 Lives
Search and rescue efforts underway as tornadoes ravage Tennessee cities, claiming the lives of at least six people The storm's devastation persists, with heavy rain and damaging winds threatening further destruction throughout the eastern US
Rescuers are combing through debris and assessing the destruction caused by tornadoes and powerful thunderstorms in Tennessee. The severe weather wreaked havoc, flipping cars, demolishing buildings, and tragically claiming the lives of at least six individuals. Among the casualties are three people, including a child, who were killed when an apparent tornado hit the Clarksville area in Montgomery County in northern Tennessee, as reported by officials on Saturday night.
Montgomery County was in the "search and rescue phase" on Saturday evening after almost twenty people were hospitalized for injuries, according to officials.
CNN footage captured what seemed to be a tornado tearing through a road in Clarksville, tossing debris into the air and causing power lines to spark as it passed through the area.
In the storms aftermath, cars were left tossed on their roofs as downed trees and debris littered roads. Roofs and walls from multiple buildings were ripped off, photos show.
A storm will track across the eastern US this weekend, bringing with it several different weather hazards.
CNN Weather
A large storm is expected to affect the majority of the East this weekend, bringing with it various potential dangers.
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts expressed his condolences in a statement, saying, "This news is incredibly tragic and our thoughts are with the families of the victims. The City is prepared to support them during this difficult time."
Clarkesville searched for survivors and potentially more victims while the mayor declared a state of emergency on Saturday night and implemented a 9 p.m. curfew. Meanwhile, emergency management officials confirmed three additional deaths in Madison, Tennessee, just north of Nashville, nearly 50 miles away.
The Nashville Office of Emergency Management reported that teams are actively assessing damage and searching for patients on X (formerly known as Twitter). Images displayed extensive damage in the reported area, with a car buried under heavy debris.
Two large and dangerous tornadoes were confirmed on Saturday afternoon, one in Montgomery County and another near the town of Rutherford in Gibson County, according to the National Weather Service. These reports came as severe weather swept across over 1,200 miles of the eastern United States on Saturday, from the Gulf Coast to the Canadian border, with more bad weather expected on Sunday.
Freddie O'Connell, the mayor of Nashville and Davidson County, expressed that today's storm has caused major disruption in our community. He declared a state of emergency for the area and noted that first responders were working late into Saturday evening to reach difficult-to-access areas.
Storm damage on Nesbitt Lane in Madison, Tennessee, on Saturday.
Nashville Office of Emergency Management
He urged residents to stay out of the affected areas and call the Red Cross if theyve been displaced.
OConnell mentioned that many of our neighbors have a long journey of healing and recovery ahead. Additionally, the Tennessee cities of Gallatin and Hendersonville, located northeast of Nashville, reported "significant damage" from a tornado, as stated in a joint announcement from the mayors of the communities.
"It is of paramount importance that citizens stay off of the roads and allow first responders and utility crews to respond," the officials said.
Storm threat continues Sunday
Tennessee is still dealing with the aftermath of recent storms, and more severe weather is expected to hit the Eastern US on Sunday. According to the Weather Prediction Center, there is a possibility of isolated severe thunderstorms in the Southeast States, with the main threats being sporadic damaging winds and a few brief tornadoes.
The storms will peak in strength on Sunday afternoon as they spread across much of the East, with potentially strong wind gusts that could lead to power outages and travel disruptions. Widespread gusts of 40 to 50 mph are expected in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with the possibility of gusts reaching up to 60 mph at times in New England, as well as along the coasts of New York and New Jersey on Sunday night.
Storm damage left behind in Clarksville, Tennessee on Saturday.
Vincent Welshman
From Florida to New England, widespread rain totals of 1 to 2 inches are likely.
Sunday could see a few severe thunderstorms, particularly in the region stretching from the Florida Panhandle to Virginia, where damaging storms are expected. The main threat will be damaging wind gusts, though there is also a possibility of isolated tornadoes. Additionally, parts of New England may experience a transition to a wintry mix of rain, snow, and freezing rain from late Sunday night into Monday.
CNN Meteorologist Mary Gilbert contributed to this report.
