WARTBURG, Tenn. — Two tornadoes swept through eastern Tennessee, resulting in the tragic deaths of a mother and daughter, and leaving three others injured, authorities reported on Friday.
The fatalities occurred when the tornado struck the towns of Deer Lodge and Sunbright in Morgan County late Thursday night, as confirmed by a post from the county’s emergency management agency on social media. Additional information regarding the injuries sustained by the three individuals has not been disclosed.
On Friday morning, Tennessee Highway Patrol officers were on the scene assessing and securing properties affected by the storms, as indicated by Captain Stacey Heatherly via email. Authorities stated they did not believe there were any individuals unaccounted for.
Preliminary assessments conducted on Friday determined that two tornadoes had impacted the region the previous night, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. The tornado that hit Deer Lodge was classified as an EF2 with peak winds reaching 135 mph (217 kph), marking it as ‘significant’ on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Meanwhile, the tornado in Thorn Hill, Grainger County, was rated EF1, with maximum winds at 115 mph (185 kph).
In a statement on Friday, Governor Bill Lee expressed his sympathies for those affected by the storms, and he, along with his wife, Maria, offered their prayers. The governor visited Morgan County to assess the devastation firsthand and shared a heartbreaking account of speaking with a man who lost both his daughter and his home due to the tornadoes.
“It’s hard to see these folks and you see what they’re facing today,” Lee remarked to reporters. “We’re here to encourage them, wanting them to know that they’re seen and they’re heard.”
As part of their response efforts, the Tennessee Highway Patrol reported on social media about their presence in Morgan County, ensuring the safety of local residents and evaluating the damage to structures.
The Morgan County School District announced on its website that schools would remain closed on Friday as the area assessed “significant damage from tornadoes in parts of our county.”
In addition to the fatalities in Morgan County, storm effects included downed trees and property damage in Thorn Hill, but no casualties were reported there according to Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Atkins.
This recent storm event occurred nearly a year after a deadly tornado impacted northeastern Tennessee, including incidents in Morgan County where a funeral home and residence suffered damages.
Emergency management officials noted that Tennessee ranks as the state with the highest occurrence of nighttime tornadoes, complicating public awareness and safety efforts as many residents may be asleep and unable to recognize the impending danger.
Other counties adversely affected by the storm included Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Putnam, and Sevier. Moreover, warnings of potential extreme weather persisted across the South, where flood alerts were issued for Arkansas, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
In Kentucky and West Virginia, communities are still in the recovery phase from flooding caused by severe thunderstorms on Thursday, with certain creeks and rivers remaining slightly above flood stage on Friday.
Historically, the National Weather Service reported that Tennessee recorded 19 tornadoes last year, resulting in one fatality. In stark contrast, Tennessee has experienced 40 tornadoes in 2023, leading to 17 deaths. Although tornadoes typically peak in the spring, an increase in frequency can occur as early as February.
In northern regions, New England faced heavy snow that led to more than 60 vehicular accidents reported on highways in Maine. Fortunately, no serious injuries had been reported as of Thursday night, despite hazardous conditions during the commute. Other northeastern states also encountered traffic disruptions, including an overturned tractor-trailer on the Massachusetts Turnpike.
As preparations began for an anticipated stronger storm system expected to arrive late Saturday into Sunday, residents in New England remained alert for potential additional disruptions.
