A possible tornado caused widespread damage and potential casualties in communities near Knoxville, Tennessee on Thursday night. The tornado touched down in the Deer Lodge and Sunbright areas, about 60 miles west of Knoxville, resulting in severe property damage, injuries, and loss of life. More than 2,700 energy customers were without power, and communication networks were affected. Emergency personnel were actively engaged in search and rescue operations, with over 100 staff working to assist those in need.
Tornado warnings were issued across east Tennessee as storms moved through the region. Footage shared on social media showed sirens sounding in Sevierville, east of Knoxville. Flash flooding and hailstones larger than coins were reported in Knoxville. In Kentucky, a tornado with wind speeds of up to 95 mph caused extensive damage in Hart County, an hour south of Louisville.
The National Weather Service has confirmed the tornado in south-central Kentucky, while no injuries were reported in Morgan County. An emergency operations center has been set up in Morgan County, and facilities such as Wartburg Central High School are available for those affected. Severe winter weather, including widespread ice storms, has affected much of the Lower 48 states, with as many as 100 million people under alerts and warnings.
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