State of Emergency activated for Tennessee after tornadoes, severe weather

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has activated a Level 4 -Elevated State of Emergency after radar-confirmed tornadoes hit Middle Tennessee.

Various rounds of significant severe weather impacted Tennessee on Wednesday. The following counties currently affected are as follows:

• Cheatham
• Giles
• Lincoln
• Maury
• Rutherford
• Smith
• Warren
• Wilson

Maury, Giles and Lincoln counties all experienced radar-confirmed tornadoes on Wednesday. One woman died in the Maury County tornado, officials confirmed.

A person also died in East Tennessee's Claiborne County after a tree fell on their car.

TEMA has deployed personnel at counties' wishes and the agency is working with local officials to assess damage and make sure safety is a top priority. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will also assess damage across the Midstate on Thursday.

The National Weather Service is also surveying potential tornado locations.

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, TEMA reports nearly 70,000 reports of power outages across the state. You can track power outages across Middle Tennessee here.

Local jurisdictions and the American Red Cross have opened storm shelters and overnight shelters in impacted areas. Find the most up-to-date shelter list here.

LIST: Roads closed across Middle Tennessee from flooding

Thursday's forecast for Nashville shows decreasing clouds throughout the day that will increase after midnight. High temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s with westerly winds from 10-15 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Low temperatures in will be in the upper 50s.

Crisis cleanup was activated for the entire state. If you need assistance with damage from tornadoes or severe weather at no cost, call the home cleanup hotline (615-488-1875) for help.

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