Deadly storm in the US state of Tennessee News
Recovery efforts continue as multiple storms leave behind death and destruction in the Nashville area.
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Rescue and relief workers are surveying the devastation after powerful tornadoes ripped through the US state of Tennessee, killing at least six people and injuring dozens, officials said.
The storm touched down in and around the Tennessee capital of Nashville on Saturday afternoon, causing "massive damage" as officials told residents to evacuate.
The mayor of Clarkville, 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of the capital Nashville, where two adults and a child were killed, declared a state of emergency and a curfew from 9 p.m. Saturday (03:00 GMT Sunday). Enforced.
"In addition, 23 people have been treated at the hospital," county officials said.
"This is devastating news and our hearts go out to the families of those who lost loved ones," Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said in a statement. Ready to help."
Residents were asked to stay home while first responders assessed the situation. "Please, if you need help, call 911 and help will arrive immediately. But if you can, please stay home. Don't go out on the streets. Our first responders Time and space are needed,” Pitts said.
Three more people died in a Nashville suburb, while photos posted by the city's Office of Emergency Management showed debris-strewn roads, downed trees, overturned cars and collapsed homes. .
First responders were "still in the search and rescue phase of this disaster," he added, urging residents to stay off the roads.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he and his wife Maria are praying for all Tennesseans affected by the storm.
"We mourn the loss of life and urge everyone to follow the guidance of local and state authorities," Lee said in a statement.
Shaken residents recalled terrifying close encounters as the storm passed overhead as they took shelter in basements, shops, schools and hotels. Many homes and businesses were destroyed and about 52,000 customers reported power outages in the state Saturday evening, down from 86,000 earlier, according to poweroutage.us.
The storm came nearly two years after the National Weather Service recorded 41 tornadoes in a handful of states, including 16 in Tennessee and eight in Kentucky. A total of 81 people died in Kentucky alone.
Scientists say climate change has increased the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events around the world.
