Storms and tornadoes on Tuesday caused structural damage, knocked down trees and led to power outages in nearly a dozen Tennessee counties. One person is believed to have been killed, and meteorologists will continue reviewing evidence of multiple tornadoes on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service estimated late Tuesday that approximately 10 tornadoes touched down, each of EF-0 strength, meaning winds speeds of 65 to 85 mph. Those tornadoes are being investigated mostly across a stretch north of Interstate 40, including in Joelton within Davidson County, Gallatin in Sumner County, and areas of Trousdale, Smith and Jackson counties.
As of 3 p.m., there were at least 8,150 remaining power outages statewide. There are currently more than 800 in Nashville and just under 400 in the counties north of Nashville that are served by the Cumberland Electric Membership Coop. Another 3,600 outages were ongoing in Obion County.
Trees and power lines were reported down in Joelton and across the northern area of Davidson County. Five school districts opened 2 hours late: Cheatham, Dickson, Hickman, Houston and Stewart.
A report from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says that the total number of injuries and the severity of damage caused by the storms isn’t yet known. The agency, however, says the line of severe storms did damage some buildings and roads.
Tennessee health officials also confirmed one weather-related death in Weakley County, in the northwest part of the state.
Lakeview Rd. Gallatin. Heavy tree damage. #tnwx #tspotter @WCM_Krissy @NWSNashville @NC5_BreeSmith @katymorganwx @WSMV pic.twitter.com/zsesDINIqO
— Sarah Beth (@SarahBethWX) May 4, 2021
The National Weather Service is also conducting preliminary tornado surveys throughout the state, with the Red Cross mobilizing disaster teams to assist affected residents.
“Most of the damage that we’ve had has been trees and power lines,” says Mark Richards, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Nashville. “We did have a touchdown of weak tornadoes that went from the Joelton area east and through Gallatin.”
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