(NewsNation) — A major storm system brought damage from heavy rainfall and high winds to several states across the Southeastern U.S., including at least one deadly tornado in Tennessee.
Officials said at least six people were killed Saturday by the severe weather that sent about two dozen to the hospital.
Officials reported three people have died as a result of the tornado Saturday night in Clarksville, Tennessee, located in Montgomery County, according to NewsNation affiliate WKRN citing Ed Baggett, director of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
Clarksville and Montgomery officials sent a joint statement just after 7 p.m. local time, saying two adults and one child died because of the tornado. In addition, 23 people have been treated at the hospital.
In addition, the Nashville Emergency Operation Center said in a post on a social media account that three people were killed by severe storms in a neighborhood just north of downtown.
“This is a sad day for our community. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end,” Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that a tornado touched down around 2 p.m. The statement said that there were no confirmed injuries or missing people but that first responders are out in full force, continuing to search the area.
“This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones. The City stands ready to help them in their time of grief,” Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts added.
Police and firefighters in Clarksville responded to multiple reports of damage in the northern part of the city, located north of Nashville near the Kentucky state line.
A shelter was set up at a local high school and city officials are urging residents to limit travel to urgent needs only.
The Nashville Department of Transportation says there are downed power lines across the county that Nashville Electric Service is working to restore and are working to make roads safe and passable as quickly as possible.
The storm has reportedly left about 85,000 residents without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
Nationally, the larger storm system is expected to disrupt air and ground travel across more than a dozen states and knock out power, especially in the Northeast.
“There are 2-4 inches of water locked up in the snowpack across the Green and White Mountains of New England,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said. “The heavy rain, in addition to water released by melting snow, could have the effect of 4-8 inches of rain falling, which will greatly increase the stream and river flooding threat across portions of Vermont and New Hampshire.”
Meteorologists expect the storm could cause regional power outages, property damage and roads blocked by debris.
Check back as this story is updating.