CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The National Weather Service says an EF3 tornado with winds of 150 mph tore through Clarksville on Saturday afternoon. Three people were killed including a child. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.
You could see just how bad the damage was when SKY 5 flew over Middle Tennessee Sunday morning.
State of Emergency
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts declared a State of Emergency on Saturday and a curfew remains in effect for the city beginning at 9pm.
Death toll
According to Montgomery County officials, two adults and one child were killed in the tornado, and 23 others were injured. Many of them remain in the hospital.
“This is a sad day for our community. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end," Montgomery County Mayor, Wes Golden, said.
Structural damage
As of 11:55 a.m. on Sunday, the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency says Clarksville has 65 structures with minor damage, 339 with moderate damage, and 271 with major damage (meaning they are uninhabitable).
Officials say the majority of these structures are people's homes.
Storm shelters
A storm shelter is open in north Clarksville at Northeast High school for those who need it. At the shelter, Dream Wingz Tiny Town dropped several to-go boxes of wings for those who are displaced.
Any residents who are displaced in the area of Hand Estates, a neighborhood in the vicinity of Garrettsburg Road, may seek temporary shelter at the Mosaic Church according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.
What happened?
The tornado crossed I-24 around mile markers 1 and 2, and later moved into Kentucky and out of Montgomery County.
What is the damage?
Callers told NewsChannel 5 there were flipped semi trucks, debris, and trees down.
More than 10,000 are still without power in Clarksville.
We have reports of damage on Spring Haven Court, off of exit 1 near Gatlinburg Road and on Tiny Town Road, as well as at Walnut Grove Church. The Clarksville School of Fine Arts also saw significant structural damage.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office sent this information on Facebook:
"We have confirmed damage to several houses in the area of Hand Estates in the vicinity of Garrettsburg Rd due to weather conditions. First responders and emergency services have staged in the area and are assessing the damage and the safety of the residents. Due to potential dangers from the weather, downed power lines, and debris, we asked that the community shelter in place and stay off the roadways."
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said first responders are still assessing damage.
"At this hour, first responders are assessing damage from a tornado that struck in areas of the northern part of our City in the early afternoon hours of Saturday, December 9, 2023. We will have more information to share later, but at this point it is premature to confirm any details," he said. "We ask that the public only glean information about this disaster from official sources, as there is much we are still learning."
First responders are doing searches in the areas effected, and Montgomery County Mayor, Wes Golden, says the best thing people can do to help is stay at home off of dangerous roads.
"This is a day that nobody wanted or expected, but this is a day where our community shines, so please, if you need help call 911 and help will be on the way immediately. But if you can please stay home," Mayor Pitts said. "Our first responders need time and space. We know there's extensive damage throughout the community so we need to be able to take care of the families so desperately in need of help."
What are we seeing?
Our photographer Evan Huddle found a Zaxby's drive-thru window on the ground near the Walnut Grove Church in Clarksville. The nearest Zaxby's is miles away from this location:
We have photos of the damage from viewers below.
We know these tornadoes are heartbreaking. Here's how you can help
The loss created by these storms is heartbreaking. Our NewsChannel 5 team wants to help, and we know that you do too.
That is why we are partnering with United Way and Community Foundation to raise money for tornado victims. Through the emergency response fund, you can designate whether you want your money to go to Davidson County or the surrounding counties.
Everything you give will go to help victims of the storm.
NewsChannel 5 is also providing $5,000 in matching money to get donations started in both funds.
