A potential tornado tore through neighborhoods near Knoxville, Tennessee, on Thursday night, leaving behind widespread devastation and an uncertain toll of casualties. The Morgan County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency announced via its Facebook page that a suspected tornado touched down at 8:27 p.m in the areas of Deer Lodge and Sunbright, approximately 60 miles west of Knoxville. According to the agency, this event resulted in significant property damage, injuries, and loss of life, although specific information on the number of casualties or the extent of injuries was not disclosed.
As of 5:30 a.m., more than 2,700 electricity customers were without power, as reported by PowerOutage.us, while telephone and internet services have also been disrupted. The agency stated that local, county, and state emergency responders, in conjunction with personnel from various agencies and jurisdictions, are actively involved in search and rescue missions and assessing individual safety. Over 100 staff members are mobilized to aid those affected, with individuals strongly advised to steer clear of the impacted zones.
Captain Stacey Heatherly, from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, mentioned in a video posted on Facebook that state troopers were engaged in locating any missing individuals in Morgan County and were prepared to assist in other regions within the state as needed. Tornado warnings were issued throughout eastern Tennessee on Thursday night as severe storms swept through the area. Videos circulating on TikTok depicted tornado sirens and police sirens blaring in Sevierville, located east of Knoxville.
Local NBC affiliate WBIR in Knoxville shared images of flash floods in the city and reported from a church in Fountain City where a tree crashed through the roof while a youth group was participating in a Bible study in the basement. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries. WBIR footage showed heavy, sideways rain and large hailstones falling. In response to the emergency, Morgan County has established an operations center, with additional aid centers including one at Wartburg Central High School.
Elsewhere, the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in south-central Kentucky on Thursday, with wind speeds reaching up to 95 mph causing extensive damage in Hart County, one hour south of Louisville, although there were no reported injuries. In recent days, a large portion of the contiguous United States has faced severe winter weather conditions, including widespread ice accumulation, with alerts and warnings covering as many as 100 million people by Wednesday.
