lawrenceburgnow.com
lawrenceburgnow.com
navhome navlife nav411 navdeaths

Friday, April 11, 2008

Officials Confirm Friday’s Storm Was A Tornado

Story courtesty LaShawn Baxter, Power 97 WLX

   Officials have confirmed that a tornado touched down in Lawrence County just after noon Friday, leaving a path of heavy damages in its wake.

   Bill Phillips, Public Information Officer for Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency says he believes the tornado to be an F-2 or F-3 with a total path of 15 to 18 miles and a width of less than 100 yards on the ground. Phillips says the tornado touched down west of Lawrenceburg along Granddaddy Road/Mount Lebanon Road area, and skirted the north edge of the Lawrenceburg city limits before heading into Giles County.

See Photos

   The worst damage was sustained in the Buffalo/Mt. Ararat Road area. There was also damage along Good Hope, Snell and Pleasant Valley Roads. Phillips reported that between thirty and forty structures were damaged and up to four homes destroyed.

   No fatalities were reported as a result of the tornado, and officials indicate that only a few minor injuries have been reported.

   Volunteer firemen, Emergency Medical Service and Lawrenceburg Utility Systems were out in force Friday,. Assessing damages and working to clear roadways and restore power.

   The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol are handling traffic control and urge people to stay out of the affected areas unless absolutely  necessary.

   The Lawrence County Chapter of the American Red Cross has set up a base inside the Lawrenceburg City Administration Building to assist those in need.

   Emergency officials estimate it will take several weeks to clear all debris.

.

.