Multiple tornados ripped through Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
On Saturday, December 9th, thousands of Middle Tennessee residents hunkered down in the bathrooms and basements of their homes and businesses as a series of storms tore through the area. The National Weather Service estimates that a total of 13 tornadoes hit the greater Nashville area.
The most significant damage was caused by an EF-3 tornado in Clarksville, Tennessee, and an EF-2 tornado in Madison and Hendersonville, Tennessee. Six people lost their lives, 23 were hospitalized, and dozens of structures were destroyed as a result of the storms. Thousands of residents remain without power.
The aftermath of a tornado that touched down last night in Madison Tennessee…#tornado #tennessee #Madison #Nashville pic.twitter.com/mrJqAauaM8
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) December 11, 2023
Middle Tennessee communities come together to help their neighbors.
The communities affected by the series of tornados are still reeling from the terrifying afternoon, but the outpouring of support has been strong and swift. As soon as the sun came up Sunday morning, friends and neighbors could be seen in the streets helping to clear debris and assess damages.
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Governor Bill Lee issued a “Level 3” state of emergency declaration for the state of Tennessee as he visited the hardest-hit areas on Sunday. He shared:
“Everywhere we went, we saw volunteers. Tennesseans that were coming into neighborhoods they didn’t live in and coming alongside people to make sure they were doing all they could to help.”
Though our state has weathered significant storm damage, Tennesseans are resilient.
Today, we’ve seen a picture of hope as state & local officials & nonprofits have provided critical support to families & communities across Middle TN. pic.twitter.com/w8EDzIpHlf
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) December 11, 2023
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden held back tears the morning after the storms as he said:
“Our community is strong and our faith is strong. We will get through this together. Please pray for all of those involved.”
Churches and the Red Cross have opened multiple emergency shelters across the area. See the list.
Recovery Efforts and Resources in Tennessee
In Clarksville, volunteers gathered at Mosiac Church Monday morning (Dec 11) to board school buses and be transported to designated cleanup locations. Stationed at the church is a Virginia-based non-profit called Mercy Chefs which is serving meals to victims, first responders, and volunteers. It expects to serve two meals a day and distribute up to 2,000 meals per day over the next few days.
Multiple local restaurants are offering free meals and a warm place to take refuge while other local businesses have set up distribution centers for donated supplies for those who have been impacted.
Madison residents in need of assistance can visit the Madison Community Center on North Dupont Avenue, where the American Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter.
In Hendersonville, the Chamber of Commerce and United Way are collecting supplies for neighbors impacted. The groups ask for donations to be dropped off at the chamber’s event space located at 300 Indian Lake Blvd.
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and United Way have both set up relief funds in collaboration with the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. The two organizations are also jointly supporting recovery efforts in Cheatham, Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson, and Sumner Counties through the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund.
To donate to tornado disaster relief in Davidson County, click here.
To donate to disaster relief outside Davidson County, click here.