Update, 2:55 p.m.: Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency officials have updated totals on damage from the Clarksville tornado, and it now stands at 243 “residential sites” destroyed. Another 1,711 had damage. EMA noted that a “residential site” could be an individual home or a housing unit, such as a duplex or apartments.
In all, 1,974 residential sites, 58 commercial sites and three public facilities were hit by the tornado, the EMA said.
Update, 11:15 a.m.: The number of homes without power is now at 5,300. This number may fluctuate as crews restore power temporarily to some areas.Previously:
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Linemen have made huge progress restoring power over the last 24 hours, and the number of homes without power is now down to 3,100 in Clarksville. At the height of the tornado’s impact, 20,000 lost power.
“We appreciate our customers for their patience and encouragement as our crews work around the clock,” said a statement from CDE Lightband. “We will continue until all customers are back on!”
Tornado damage, impact
The tornado hit at about 1:35 p.m. Saturday with 150 mph winds and a path 600 yards wide, from just north of Purple Heart Parkway around Garrettsburg Road to the Exit 1 area.
Three people were killed: Donna Allen, 59, of Florida, and Arlan Coty, 10, and Stephen Kwaah Hayes, 34, of Clarksville. As for injuries, 62 people were treated at the hospital, with nine of those being critical injuries.
There were 114 structures destroyed, most of them homes, and another 857 were damaged. FEMA issued a Level 3 state of emergency for Montgomery County.
Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools are closed for the rest of the week, and with winter break following, that means students are out until January.
Hundreds of people turned out Monday to assist with debris cleanup, and those efforts are now on hold while trash haulers catch up.
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