Storm survey teams have confirmed additional tornadoes touched down over the weekend, in what the National Weather Service is now calling the nation’s largest tornado outbreak since December 2021.
As of Tuesday, eight tornadoes were confirmed to have struck in Tennessee, including some that reached EF-3 intensity, with winds over 130 mph.
The storms are blamed for 15 deaths and damage to more than 500 structures across the state, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
The major impact has prompted Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to request federal emergency assistance for ten counties: Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne.
If awarded, the Federal Emergency Management Agency would help with debris removal and direct aid for residents.
Hamilton Matthew Masters WPLN NewsVolunteers assist with the tornado cleanup in Readyville, Tenn., on April 2, 2023.
In the meantime, TEMA has also prepared this recovery resources website.
Additional storm surveys are ongoing. Thus far, crews have confirmed that five tornadoes crossed through Middle Tennessee.
Outpouring of volunteers
One of the most powerful traveled 16 miles across Rutherford and Cannon counties. The winds damaged homes and knocked down fences and trees.
The intensifying tornado then destroyed homes and businesses in the Readyville community, including doing damage to the historic Readyville Mill and The Corners on Stones River, which date to the early 1800s.
Heather Smith, who owns The Corners, said she survived by hiding in her cellar. She was rescued by a neighbor, and then watched as hundreds of volunteers turned out for the cleanup.
“The support that has come out in the community is very overwhelming and amazing and beautiful,” she said. “The love that people have for this tiny little town — we’re so grateful.”
Hamilton Matthew Masters WPLN NewsThe Corners, a historic home in Readyville, Tenn., was heavily damaged by a tornado on April 1, 2023.
Not far from Smith, Russell and Mary Reed, owners of Russell’s Market, were picking up the pieces after their general store was destroyed.
They’d been working the store for 44 years.
“It’s changed Readyville from now on,” Russell said.
“It’s a nightmare,” said Mary.
Yet they too found a silver lining in the community effort.
“The people have been so good to us,” Russell said. “It’s just hard to believe the outpouring of people, and in a moment’s notice at that too.”
Nearly 800 volunteers assisted in recovery efforts in the aftermath, with local churches and vendors providing some 300 lunches and 140 dinners.
Portions of Wayne and Lewis counties were struck by a “long track” EF-2 tornado that traveled an estimated 86 miles in all, including causing severe damage and fatalities in western portions of the state. In Middle Tennessee, it leveled some homes, critically injured one woman and uprooted hundreds of trees.
Hamilton Matthew Masters WPLN NewsVietnam veteran Ken Cruikshank holds a tin of his personal U.S. Army memorabilia which was found in the rubble of his damaged Readyville, Tenn., home following a tornado on April 1, 2023
Additional tornado damage was confirmed in Marshall, Bedford, Trousdale and Macon counties.
Contributor Hamilton Matthew Masters contributed to this report.
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