NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Six people lost their lives in central Tennessee due to severe storms that tore through the area on Saturday, prompting the hospitalization of about two dozen individuals while leaving behind a trail of destruction in numerous cities.
The apparent tornado struck Montgomery County, north of Nashville near the Kentucky state line, claiming the lives of three people, including a child, according to county officials. In a separate location just north of downtown, another three people were killed by severe storms, with an additional 23 individuals being treated for injuries in Montgomery County.
Photos shared by the Clarksville fire department on social media captured the aftermath of the storm: damaged homes, debris scattered across lawns, a flipped tractor trailer on a highway, and insulation ripped out of building walls.
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts expressed devastation and offered support to the families affected by the tragedy, while the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department identified the victims killed north of downtown.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reported that a tornado touched down around 2 p.m., prompting the establishment of a shelter at a local high school, and urging residents to stay at home while first responders assessed the situation. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee also expressed condolences and urged everyone to follow guidance from local and state officials.
Tennessee witnessed more than 80,000 electricity customers without power on Saturday night, while the storm came almost two years after 41 tornadoes were recorded across multiple states, including 16 in Tennessee and eight in Kentucky, resulting in a total of 81 fatalities. No further information was immediately available about the other three deaths reported in the storm.