Communities Recovering After At Least 15 Tornadoes Struck Southeast

Communities have been recovering in the Southeast after at least 15 tornadoes struck the area.

Authorities said that at least 15 tornadoes struck the Southeast over the weekend. They said that one powerful EF3 twister with 150-mph maximum winds struck Clarksville in northern Tennessee, which later killed three individuals.

Meanwhile, in Madison, which is a suburb of Nashville, three more people were killed by an EF2 tornado.

On the other hand, hundreds were given treatment in local hospitals. The National Weather Service said that more than 60 people were treated for injuries from the twister.

Damaged By Tornado

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reported that there were 1,974 residential sites, 58 commercial sites, and three public facilities hit by the tornado in Clarksville.

To date, a total of 243 residential sites have been designated as destroyed, 436 have sustained major damage, 940 have sustained minor damage, 354 have been affected and one has been inaccessible.

Schools in Clarksville will remain shut down on Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, West Creek Elementary school did sustain minor damage, but officials have expressed concerned about families impacted by damage to their homes.

Authorities said that these numbers represent displaced individuals whose lives have been turned upside down.

Officials have asked the public to continue to pray for them and help the affected individuals as they can.

The Montgomery County EMA said that residential sites may indicate an individual home or unit, noting that assessments are still being made and updates will be posted in the coming days.

On the other hand, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) officials said restoration efforts are ongoing to repair and restore power across northern Tennessee.

Furthermore, the Clarksville Department of Electricity (CDE) sustained the most damage and system impacts.

So far, residents of small Middle Tennessee already initiated efforts to clean up debris and help their neighbors after the deadly tornado ripped through the heart of the Volunteer State in the weekend.

Meanwhile, Clarksville city officials said a coordinated volunteer cleanup began on Monday where the most extensive tornado damage occurred.

Volunteers have gathered at Mosaic Church before being taken by bus to different cleanup locations.

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said that crews had been mobilized at daybreak in the affected areas to clean the roadways. Further, shelters have been set up as well as food, showers and laundry services.

Pitts vowed that whatever is needed, officials will made it available.

Spawned By Storm

Weather experts said that tornadoes were spawned by a massive storm system that brought heavy rain from Texas to Maine.

They said that around 100,000 customers were without power on Monday morning, down from 200,000 Sunday evening.

Meteorologists said that dry weather is also forecasted this week, noting that no further disruptions from weather outside of the frigid morning temperatures around the freezing mark are expected.

Two years ago, authorities said that a major outbreak of tornadoes swept through Tennessee and Kentucky.

They noted that last weekend's Clarksville tornado moved from Tennessee into Kentucky with EF2 damage, as close as 4 miles from an EF3 tornado that struck Warren County on Dec. 11, 2021.