National

Weather service: At least 6 tornadoes hit middle Tennessee

Published

4 years ago

March 6, 2020

Volunteers Tony Fawbush, left, and Jim Savelyev clean up debris in a residential area Friday, March 6, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Residents and businesses face a huge cleanup effort after tornadoes hit the state Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — At least six tornadoes hit middle Tennessee during a series of storms early this week that killed 24 people and caused massive damage, the National Weather Service in Nashville confirmed Friday.

The strongest tornado overnight into Tuesday packed winds up to 175 mph (280 kph) and lasted for eight miles (nearly 13 kilometers) in Putnam County, reaching EF-4 strength. President Donald Trump viewed damage on the ground Friday in Putnam County, where 18 deaths occurred.

Before that twister touched down, a tornado reached EF-3 strength, hitting peak winds of 165 mph (265 kph) and carving a 60-mile (95-kilometer) path across Nashville and Wilson counties.

Weaker EF-0 tornadoes touched down in Smith and Putnam counties; another hit Putnam County; and Cumberland County saw one as well. Humphreys County experienced an EF-1 twister.

Tornadoes also were confirmed in other parts of the state.