CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Thirty-nine deaths in 5 states was the toll from Friday’s severe weather as of Monday morning.
The state Emergency Management Agency said there were no deaths here in Tennessee, but at least 45 people were injured in two waves of bad weather. Most of the injuries occurred in the Chattanooga area.
TEMA said there were a total of 75 tornado warnings issued throughout the state on Friday. National Weather Service meteorologists are currently conducting a round of assessments to determine how much of the damage in 19 counties can be attributed to tornados.
One of the areas hardest hit areas was Bradley County. Dan Howell, a spokesman for the county mayor’s office spoke to WMOT News Friday night shortly after bad weather passed through the Cleveland area.
"Two people were injured. Both were the result of entrapments we believe. There are reports of severe damage to approximately 20 homes across the county, scattered from the southeast part of the county to the northwest."
The Red Cross said it was operating 22 shelters in 11 states, including here in Tennessee, for those displaced by the storm. Donations can be made online by visiting www.redcross.org, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.