Latest news with #MorganCountyEmergencyManagement
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When is tornado season in Tennessee? Morgan County may have seen first of 2025
A community in East Tennessee was devastated on Thursday night when a deadly storm ripped through Morgan County. A possible tornado went through the Deer Lodge and Sunbright areas around 8:30 p.m., leaving a woman and her daughter dead and three others injured, according to Morgan County Emergency Management. This deadly storm could mark the first tornado in the area in 2025, but as of Friday morning, the National Weather Service has not confirmed if a tornado ripped through the area. Tornadoes have become more common in the South over the last few years, but the destruction and emotional trauma they leave behind is something no one can prepare for. And we are just now entering tornado season for many areas in the country, including Tennessee. Tennessee usually sees the highest number of tornadoes during April, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Usually, tornado season runs from March to May in Tennessee, but in recent years storms that produce these destructive, and sometimes deadly, forces of nature have been coming earlier in the year. "Tornado Alley is an area of the U.S. where there is a high potential for tornado development," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski said. Much of northern Texas northward through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and parts of Louisiana, Iowa, Nebraska and eastern Colorado are considered part of this Tornado Alley. This region of the U.S. is considered to be vulnerable to tornado development because contrasting air masses frequently collide to produce strong and violent thunderstorms. A perfect stage for tornado development, according to AccuWeather. Meteorologists have noticed a shift toward the Southeast as the frequency of tornadoes increase in Southern states like Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama over the years. Tennessee is not considered part of tornado alley, but the state has had its fair share of tornadoes over the years. Comparing annual data from 1980 to 1999 with 2000 to 2019, 20 U.S. states saw an increase in tornado activity, including Tennessee. Scientists can't pinpoint precisely how much may be due to an increase in reporting due to improved technology. When a tornado watch is in place tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area, according to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service suggests people who are in the warning area review and discuss their emergency plans, check supplies and have a safe room incase the weather takes a turn for the worse. When a tornado warning is issued it means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Here are some suggestions from the National Weather Service if a tornado warning is issued for your area: Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building Avoid windows If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris Warnings typically are for a much smaller area that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar, a trained spotter or law enforcement who is watching the storm, according to National Weather Service. Tornado warnings are issued by your local forecast office. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: When is Tennessee tornado season? Morgan County may be first of 2025
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Possible tornado kills at least 2 and causes widespread damage in Tennessee
At least two people were killed and three more injured when a possible tornado ripped through communities near Knoxville, Tennessee, Thursday night causing widespread damage. Morgan County Emergency Management confirmed the deaths to NBC affiliate WBIR of Knoxville early Friday. Morgan County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency said in a statement on its Facebook page that a "possible tornado" touched down at 8:27 p.m in the Deer Lodge and Sunbright areas, about 60 miles west of Knoxville. The agency said this resulted in "severe property damage, injuries, and loss of life," but provided no details on the number of casualties nor the nature of any injuries. More than 2,700 energy customers were without power as of 5:30 a.m., according to and phone and internet connections have been affected. "Local, county, and state first responders, along with emergency personnel from multiple agencies and jurisdictions, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations and assessing individual safety," the statement said. More than 100 staff are working to assist those in need, the statement added, and people are urged to avoid the affected areas. Captain Stacey Heatherly, with Tennessee Highway Patrol, said in a video on Facebook that state troopers were assisting in the search for "any people that are missing" in Morgan County and were available to respond to other parts of the state if necessary Tornado warnings were issued across east Tennessee Thursday night, as storms moved through the region. Footage shared to Tiktok showed a tornado siren and police sirens in Sevierville, east of Knoxville. NBC affiliate WBIR of Knoxville showed pictures of flash flooding in Knoxville and reported from a church in Fountain City, where a tree fell through the roof as a youth group was taking part in a Bible study in the basement. No injuries were reported. WBIR showed footage of torrential, horizontal rain and also of hailstones bigger than coins. Morgan County has set up an emergency operations center and there are additional facilities including at Wartburg Central High School. Elsewhere, a tornado was confirmed by the National Weather Service Thursday in south-central Kentucky, with wind speeds of up to 95 mph causing extensive damage in Hart County, a hour south of Louisville, although no injuries were reported. Much of the Lower 48 states have experienced some form of severe winter weather, including a widespread thick coating of ice, in the last week, with as many as 100 million people under alerts and warnings on article was originally published on
