6 dead as Nashville, Middle TN hit by winds, possible tornadoes

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At least six people have died after tornadoes were reported in Middle Tennessee on Saturday as severe weather caused extensive damage to homes and buildings, downed trees and widespread power outages.

Three deaths were confirmed in Clarksville by the Montgomery County sheriff’s office Saturday evening. Three more deaths were reported in Madison by the Nashville Office of Emergency Management. Montgomery County officials also said 23 people were being treated at hospitals for injuries.

The National Weather Service issued warnings for several areas in Middle Tennessee Saturday afternoon and evening, including Clarksville, parts of Nashville, Madison, Hendersonville and Gallatin.

A tornado watch is in effect until 9 pm for the following counties in Middle Tennessee: Lawrence, Macon, Maury, Rutherford, Smith, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson. A tornado watch for the rest of the region, including Nashville and Clarksville, was lifted at 7 p.m. All previous tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings have also ended.

Clarksville leader: ‘A sad day for our community’

Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden released a statement Saturday evening as reports of deaths and multiple injuries spread.

“This is a sad day for our community,” Golden said. We are praying for those who have been injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end.”

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts also released a statement.

“This is sad news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who have lost loved ones,” Pitts said. “The city is ready to help them in their time of sorrow.”

A shelter has been set up at Northeast High School at 3701 Trenton Road in Clarksville by the Red Cross for anyone displaced or in need of assistance.

There are more than 160,000 power plants in Middle Tennessee

As of 7:50 p.m. more than 160,000 customers in Middle Tennessee were without power, up from 63,000 earlier in the evening, according to maps from Middle Tennessee Electric. Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Dickson Electric and Nashville Electric Service.

Residents are reporting ‘extensive damage’ in Middle Tennessee

The streets of Hendersonville were dark Saturday evening, with lines of businesses down and downed power lines on Main Street. Traffic continued to be down for miles as crews cleared power lines from the roads.

Michael Henderson, an employee at The Outpost Armory on Main Street, was working when he heard the alarm sound.

“We swept a lot of people in and they were hiding in the basement,” he said. “It was quiet and then it hit. It’s like a freight train coming.”

The impact smashed the front windows of the gun store and shattered glass cases. Parts of the roof have collapsed.

“It’s really bad,” Henderson said.

In Springfield, there was almost no visibility on Saturday night in most of the city, except for the police and emergency services that protected areas damaged by previous storms.

An officer directing traffic said he believed a tornado had touched down near the Kroger on the south side of town. The damage to the Valvoline at the corner of Memorial Boulevard and Blackpatch Drive was visible from the street, but only with emergency lights.

Behind, Kroger was shrouded in darkness, and authorities wouldn’t let anyone near to see the extensive damage.

Clarksville resident: ‘Sounds like a train’

Vincent Welshman was driving his wife and children home in Clarksville when he heard the sound of the tornado near his mother’s house a few blocks away.

The low noise quickly turned into something “like a train going down the tracks,” he wrote in a message to The Tennessean.

The sky darkened quickly—so dark that he couldn’t see the tornado.

When the storm moved in, the Garrettsburg Estates neighborhood was devastated.

“My house was not damaged, thank God, but my neighbors and friends were not so lucky,” he wrote. “…The message I want to send is to never take these emergencies that pop up on our phones lightly.”

Mosaic Church is offering food and shelter. Sunday services have been canceled and the doors are open to anyone who needs a place to go.

Officials report “significant” storm damage in Middle Tennessee

Emergency crews reported extensive damage in areas of Davidson, Sumner and Montgomery on Saturday evening.

“The majority of emergencies were reported in Sumner County,” the Sumner County Emergency Management Agency said in a Facebook post at about 6:20 p.m. “The majority of emergencies are outside of assess damage and respond to emergencies including downed lines, gas leaks, falling structures and vehicles. accidents.”

Nashville Metro Council member Jennifer Gamble reported power outages in Whites Creek, Bellshire and Madison and extensive damage in the area on a social media post around 6:30 p.m.

The Nashville Office of Emergency Management reported that it has activated part of its emergency response center as it continues to respond to severe weather. “The activation phase will remain in place until the Severe Weather Event and its impact on Metro Nashville Davidson County is determined,” OEM spokesman Joseph Pleasant said in a news release.

Officials urge caution

The Nashville Department of Transportation urged people to stay off the roads if possible and avoid the busy lines. Nashville Electric Service is working to restore power and Nashville Department of Transportation crews are working to get the roads open as soon as possible.

“Please be very careful in Nashville right now, especially in the areas where the tornado passed,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a press release around 6:30 pm “It’s dark and rainy, and under power lines can be dangerous… If you’re worried about something, call in; don’t risk DIY.”

Lawmaker: ‘I pray for Clarksville’

Tennessee Rep. Ronnie Glynn, D-Clarksville, said he was heartbroken by the news from Clarksville.

“I am praying deeply and urgently for Clarksville this evening,” Glynn said. “We will work together to build our rural community.”

Glynn urged people to stay off the roads and let first responders do their jobs. Anyone displaced from their homes is encouraged to go to Northeast High School for shelter.

Just delivered to the airport in Nashville

As of 5:54 p.m. the Nashville International Airport issued a ground hold, effective until 6:30 p.m. as strong winds continue to blow and half in the area.

Damage effects Clarksville, Springfield, Hendersonville

Damage reports from the Nashville Weather Service show that some of the areas most affected by Saturday’s tornadoes include Clarksville in Montgomery County, Cumberland Furnace in Stewart County, Springfield in Robertson County, Madison in Davidson County, and Hendersonville and Gallatin in Sumner County. .

Add:Nashville, Middle TN is affected by high winds, possible tornadoes

By 5:05 pm the wind was blowing in the direction of Nashville

After an apparent tornado touched down in Montgomery County on Saturday afternoon on the northern border of the state, the storm continued to blow west of Nashville, North Nashville and moved east toward Hendersonville before 5 p.m.

Strong winds move into Middle Tennessee

Areas under a tornado warning until 4:45 pm CT are Nashville, Goodlettsville, and Greenbrier.

Areas under a tornado warning until 4:30 pm CT are Dickson, Fairview, Pleasant View, Ashland City, White Bluff, and Kingston Springs all west of Nashville.

Strong winds and gusts have affected many areas north of Nashville as strong winds move into Middle Tennessee and through Nashville.

1:35 pm Tornadoes appear to touch down in Montgomery Co.

Thousands were without power after a tornado touched down north of Clarksville near the Tennessee-Kentucky border around 1:35 p.m. Saturday, according to the Clarksville Police Department.

Many people were injured, and many structures were destroyed, according to Montgomery County Government spokeswoman Michelle Newell. Officials are actively searching homes for people who may be trapped or injured.

Add:Injuries, structural damage and power outages in Clarksville after tornado

Clarksville Police, Clarksville Fire Rescue, and Montgomery County EMS are responding to multiple locations north of Clarksville due to extensive damage.

A shelter has been set up at Northeast High School in Clarksville, at 3701 Trenton Road, Settle said.

A tornado watch refers to conditions where tornadoes can form. A tornado warning means a tornado is occurring or imminent.

Tornadoes are likely in the watch area, with isolated hail up to quarter size possible, and gusts up to 70 mph, the NWS said.

According to severe weather reports, strong winds reached Dickson and Cheatham counties, sending debris into the air.

The NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4:45 pm CT for:

Dickson, TN
Ashland City, TN
Waverly, TN

Major storms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening in Middle Tennessee and the Nashville area, bringing large hail and damaging winds, according to the NWS.

Nashville Electric Service workers are stocking trucks and equipment in preparation for the emergency caused by the strong winds, the agency shared in a press release Saturday afternoon.

Today’s weather is expected to be mostly cloudy in the morning, with showers and thunderstorms beginning in the afternoon and moving into the evening. The high is 67 degrees, and the low is 38 degrees.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in Middle Tennessee between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, bringing damaging winds and a chance of hail. Hurricanes can be “wrecking storms,” causing plant damage and power outages, according to the NWS. Large hail can damage roofs and damage vehicles.

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