Damage is widespread across Middle Tennessee Saturday after the National Weather Service issue tornado warnings for multiple counties, with a number of unconfirmed touchdowns across the area.
Follow for live updates here: 6 dead as Nashville, Middle TN ravaged by high winds, possible tornadoes
Hendersonville, Gallatin, Clarksville, Springfield, Cumberland Furnace and Madison, among others, all suffered damage, according to NWS.
Hendersonville took a direct hit, with authorities still trying to determine the level of damage.
According to NWS meteorologist Sam Shamburger, Gallatin Police have confirmed multiple homes have been damaged.
Additionally, the NWS office is operating on an emergency generator power, according to Shamburger.
Tornado moves through Springfield, Tennessee, on Saturday
Multiple unconfirmed tornadoes were reported in Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Submitted
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts confirmed that first responders are “assessing damage” after the tornado struck the northern parts of the city in the early afternoon.
Officials also reported heavy damage in downtown Springfield.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell urged residents to be “extremely careful in Nashville right now, especially in areas where the tornado passed through” due to potential downed power lines in a social media post around 6:20 p.m. The Nashville Emergency Operations Center is assessing damage.
View damage reported to the National Weather Service below.
Middle Tennessee tornado damage reports
Davidson County
The Nashville Emergency Operations Center confirmed three people died Saturday at a residence on Nesbitt Lane as a result of possible tornado damage.
Emergency resources are gathering at the Emergency Operations Center in what city officials called a “partial activation” to assess and coordinate needed resources, spokesperson Joseph Pleasant said.“The partial activation will remain in place until the Severe Weather Event and its impact on Metro Nashville Davidson County has stabilized,” Pleasant said in a news release.
District 3 Council member Jennifer Gamble reported power outages in Whites Creek, Bellshire and Madison with heavy damage in the area in a social media post around 6:30 p.m.
Sumner County
Traffic lights and power were off at numerous intersections and along Highway 31E in Gallatin. Even the busy Walmart shopping center and Volunteer State Community College were dark.
“Significant storm damage reported in Sumner County,” the Sumner County Emergency Management Agency said in a Facebook post around 6:20 p.m. “Lots of emergency crews out assessing damage and responding to active emergencies including lines down, gas leaks, structural collapses and vehicle crashes.”
NHC Sumner Place, a rehabilitation and assisted living facility in Gallatin, seemed to escape damage–though it did lose power that forced the use of generators. Residents were taken to bathrooms and other safe places as the storm approached and rolled through.
“It did get loud for a little bit,” Certified Nursing Assistant Grace Thompson said.
At 7:00 p.m., the streets of Hendersonville were pitch black with rows of demolished business and downed power lines on Main Street. Traffic remained backed up for miles as workers cleared power lines from the streets.
Michael Henderson, an employe at The Outpost Armory on Main Street, was working when he heard the warning siren.
“We swept as many people as we could inside and the took cover in the basement,” he said. “It was quiet and then it hit. It sounded just like a freight train coming through.”
The impact blew out the gun shop’s front windows and shattered the glass display cases. Parts of the roof had caved in.
“It’s major damage,” Henderson said.
Montgomery County
According to the Montgomery County mayor’s office, three people have died in the county as a result of a Saturday afternoon tornado.
“At this time, we can confirm that three people are deceased, two adults and one child as a result of the tornado that touched down this afternoon,” said the city’s Public Information Officer Michelle Newell. “Additionally, 23 people have been treated at the hospital. We are still in the search and rescue phase of this disaster and will provide updates as we receive confirmation.”
Law enforcement and emergency services responded to the area of Hand Estates near Garrettsburg Road, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said in a statement on Facebook “the best thing for people to do is stay off roadways so emergency personnel can assess damage.”
He said there are a lot of power lines down.
Mayor Joe Pitts of Clarksville said, “This is a day nobody wanted or expected, but this is a day where our community shines.”
Pitts said to stay home and off the roads to give first responders time and space to respond to emergency calls.
“We know there’s extensive damage throughout the communities,” he added. “We need to be able to take care of those families so desperately in need of help.”
Northeast High School, located at 3701 Trenton Road, is set up as a Red Cross Shelter for anyone who has been displaced or is in need of assistance.
Springfield in Robertson County
There are numerous reports of downed powerlines, demolished houses and businesses, as well as heavy police presences in the area.
A Valvoline Instant Oil Change station on Memorial Boulevard and Blackpatch Road sustained heavy damage, in an area that is strewn with downed power lines.
No fatalities have been confirmed, but there are reports of minor injuries in Springfield, according to city spokesperson Natasha Tice.
The city would not confirm any damage reports at this time and had no estimated time for the return of electrical power.
Power outages
Over 15,700 people were without power in the Clarksville area as of 6 p.m., according to the Clarksville Department of Electricity.
The Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, which serves much of Cheatham, Robertson, Montgomery, Stewart and Sumner counties, is reporting nearly 20,000 residences without power.
Nashville Electric Service reports over 45,000 customers without power in the Nashville Metro area.
Wires down in Nashville
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, these addresses have reported wires down:
- 4349 Pecan Valley Road
- 814 Old Hickory Blvd
- Westchester Drive/Dickerson Pike
- 236 Nesbitt Lane
- 705 Gallatin Pike N
- Myatt Drive/Edenwold Road
- Gallatin Pike/Elmore Ave
- 701 N Graycroft Ave
- Roosevelt Ave/Bixler Ave
- Gallatin Pike N/One Mile Pkwy
- 101 Anderson Lane
- Pierce Road/Anderson Lane
- 825 Brooks Ave
- Gallatin Pike N Railroad Underpass
- 1103 Gallatin Pike N
- 1004 Westchester Drive
- 1247 Pierce Road
- Old Hickory Blvd/Dickerson Pike
- 213 W Marthona Road
- 342 Gatewood Ave
- 130 S Graycroft Ave
- Nesbitt Lane/Diane Drive
- 1117 Circle Drive
Trees down in Nashville
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, these addresses have reported trees down:
- 204 Aurora Ave
- 5253 Old Hickory Blvd.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
