Tennessee is struggling with the aftermath of a tornado outbreak that swept across the state on Saturday, leaving at least six people dead, 36 injured, and more than 35,000 without power.
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One of the areas was the Clarksville area in Montgomery County, where at least three people, including a child, lost their lives.
The tornado that struck Clarksville was classified as an EF3, with peak winds reaching 150 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Nashville.
Just north of Nashville, as another EF2 tornado, with winds of 125 mph, claimed three lives. Emergency management officials reported damage in Madison and nearby Hendersonville, where homes and businesses were battered, and essential infrastructure suffered severe blows.
The survey by the weather service highlighted the destructive force of the tornadoes that struck these areas.
First responders worked hard, receiving over 400 calls overnight, with Nashville Fire Chief William Swann addressing the conditions they faced.
As the scale of the disaster unfolded, shelters accommodated 25 displaced individuals, with the number expected to rise. Montgomery officials reported 62 patients treated at medical facilities.
With over 40,000 people in Tennessee facing power outages. The Nashville Electric Service and other utility providers mobilized crews to restore power, but challenges lay ahead.
While 18,000 customers had their power restored, substations in Hendersonville and North Nashville suffered damage, leading to outages in the worst hit areas.
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Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts described the situation as devastating, with many homes left without power, a scenario that could take weeks to address.
The city declared a state of emergency, enacted a curfew, and urged citizens to avoid impacted areas to facilitate emergency operations. Clarksville Montgomery County Schools announced closures.
The names of the victims began to emerge. The Nashville Office of Emergency Management identified Joseph Dalton, 37, Floridema Gabriel Perez, 31, and her son, Anthony Elmer Mendez, 2, as victims of the tornado that struck a mobile home park north of downtown Nashville.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell assured the public that the city was in contact with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and would coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Governor Bill Lee expressed gratitude for the efforts of responders and called for unity and adherence to guidance from local and state officials.
The toll on military families became apparent as Clarksville, home to Fort Campbell, faced the brunt of the tornado’s impact. Fort Campbell Garrison Commander Col.
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Christopher Midberry revealed that around 100 military families outside the installation lost their homes. The military, already familiar with sacrifice, now is struggling with the challenges of service and recovery.
The cities of Gallatin and Hendersonville also reported damage from the tornado outbreak. Mayors from both communities addressed the importance of citizens staying off roads to allow first responders and utility crews to carry out critical operations.
Clarksville officials provided a detailed breakdown of the damage assessment, reporting 65 structures with minor damage, 339 with moderate damage, and a 271 deemed uninhabitable due to major damage. An additional 91 structures were reported as totally destroyed.
Residents like Rex Stockton, who lost the roof of his Clarksville home, and his wife, a nurse, became heroes as they joined other good Samaritans in aiding neighbors.
Stockton’s account of hearing cries for help and the community coming together illustrated the strength of solidarity.
The Nashville Fire Department identified the victims, acknowledging the heroic actions of first responders. The loss of Joseph Dalton and the young Floridema Gabriel Perez and her son, Anthony Elmer Mendez, left in sorrow.
The dedication of emergency personnel, including those who performed CPR and transported injured individuals.
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