Tennessee Assesses Damage After Deadly Tornadoes and Severe Thunderstorms
(CNN) — Tennessee officials are assessing the damage after a series of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms swept across the state on Saturday, leaving at least six people dead, more than 50 injured, multiple buildings destroyed and power outages.
The tornadoes, which touched down in several counties in Central and West Tennessee, caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and other buildings. The National Weather Service said that the storms produced winds of up to 130 miles per hour and hail up to the size of softballs.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said that the storms left more than 100,000 people without power. The agency also said that it had received reports of damage to homes, businesses, and other buildings in at least nine counties.
The Tennessee Department of Health said that at least six people were killed in the storms. The department also said that there were more than 50 people injured and that the number could rise as more information becomes available.
Officials from the Tennessee Department of Transportation said that they had closed several roads due to debris, downed power lines, and other hazards. The department also said that they had deployed personnel to help clear the roads.
The Tennessee Department of Education said that it had closed several schools due to the storms. The department said that the schools would remain closed until further notice.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said that it had deployed personnel to assess the damage to crops and livestock. The department said that it was working with local farmers to provide assistance.
Governor Bill Lee said that he had activated the Tennessee National Guard to assist in the response and recovery efforts. The governor also said that he had declared a state of emergency in the affected counties.
The American Red Cross said that it had opened shelters in several counties to provide assistance to those affected by the storms. The organization said that it was providing food, water, and other supplies to those in need.
The storms have left many in Tennessee reeling, but officials are determined to help the affected communities rebuild. The state is committed to providing the resources and assistance necessary to help those affected by the storms recover.
