Disasters Tennessee

A tornado swept through two of Nashville's southern suburbs just after dawn Saturday, killing one person, injuring 15 and destroying 20 buildings in a 3-mile-long path. As many as eight twisters were reported in the Franklin area shortly after 6 a.m., the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported, but apparently only one was responsible for the destruction in Franklin and neighboring Brentwood.

Residents of a Jackson, Tenn., housing subdivision hard-hit by a deadly tornado got their first daylight look at the damage--homes reduced to rubble and debris strewn all around. Eight people were killed in the state by twisters and at least 100 were hurt. At least 600 homes were damaged. After scent dogs finished searching the area for victims, Charles Latham subdivision residents who spent the night in shelters or elsewhere were allowed back.

The governor sought federal disaster relief Sunday for victims of a round of tornadoes that caused an estimated $45 million in damage in one Tennessee county alone. Gov. Don Sundquist requested the aid after seeing the destruction caused by the powerful storms that pummeled the area late Friday and early Saturday. Officials have also requested assistance to help local governments pay for the cleanup.

Most of Nashville's 70,000 downtown workers returned to skyscrapers patched with plywood and tarpaulins following tornadoes that virtually shut down the office district for three days. President Clinton declared six middle Tennessee counties disaster areas, making federal money available for repairs and temporary housing. Eight buildings remained "red-tagged" as unsafe. Most were small commercial businesses and restaurants occupying three- to four-story buildings.

Heavy rain on Saturday added to the misery of people trying to clear away the wreckage left by tornadoes that bounced across the state last week. A flash flood watch was posted for 80 of Tennessee's 95 counties Saturday and no letup in the rain was likely before Monday, said Jim Cannon, spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. "You can't clean up in a torrential downpour, so this is definitely going to slow down recovery," Cannon said.

People searched through debris and counted the cost Friday of tornadoes and storms that savaged Nashville and a series of Southern states, killing at least 11 people. Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen was stunned by the damage he saw during an aerial tour. He was even more astounded that nobody was killed by the two tornadoes that ripped through the city the day before.

Most of Nashville's 70,000 downtown workers returned to skyscrapers patched with plywood and tarpaulins following tornadoes that virtually shut down the office district for three days. President Clinton declared six middle Tennessee counties disaster areas, making federal money available for repairs and temporary housing. Eight buildings remained "red-tagged" as unsafe. Most were small commercial businesses and restaurants occupying three- to four-story buildings.

Thousands were without electricity Saturday after tornadoes ripped through central Tennessee and part of Alabama, killing one person and destroying or damaging more than 200 homes and businesses. Barfield, Tenn., a tiny community just southeast of Nashville, was hardest hit by the twisters and thunderstorms that rolled through Friday evening.

Residents of a Jackson, Tenn., housing subdivision hard-hit by a deadly tornado got their first daylight look at the damage--homes reduced to rubble and debris strewn all around. Eight people were killed in the state by twisters and at least 100 were hurt. At least 600 homes were damaged. After scent dogs finished searching the area for victims, Charles Latham subdivision residents who spent the night in shelters or elsewhere were allowed back.

Vice President Al Gore waded into this flooded Kentucky town Saturday and promised residents the federal government will help them get back on their feet after the worst flooding in three decades. Lebanon Junction, about 25 miles south of Louisville, was one of several towns near the flooding Ohio River or its tributaries visited by Gore. The vice president promised federal aid to victims including assistance geared to permanently relocating residents out of flood areas.

Heavy rain on Saturday added to the misery of people trying to clear away the wreckage left by tornadoes that bounced across the state last week. A flash flood watch was posted for 80 of Tennessee's 95 counties Saturday and no letup in the rain was likely before Monday, said Jim Cannon, spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. "You can't clean up in a torrential downpour, so this is definitely going to slow down recovery," Cannon said.

People searched through debris and counted the cost Friday of tornadoes and storms that savaged Nashville and a series of Southern states, killing at least 11 people. Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen was stunned by the damage he saw during an aerial tour. He was even more astounded that nobody was killed by the two tornadoes that ripped through the city the day before.

The governor sought federal disaster relief Sunday for victims of a round of tornadoes that caused an estimated $45 million in damage in one Tennessee county alone. Gov. Don Sundquist requested the aid after seeing the destruction caused by the powerful storms that pummeled the area late Friday and early Saturday. Officials have also requested assistance to help local governments pay for the cleanup.

Thousands were without electricity Saturday after tornadoes ripped through central Tennessee and part of Alabama, killing one person and destroying or damaging more than 200 homes and businesses. Barfield, Tenn., a tiny community just southeast of Nashville, was hardest hit by the twisters and thunderstorms that rolled through Friday evening.

A tornado swept through two of Nashville's southern suburbs just after dawn Saturday, killing one person, injuring 15 and destroying 20 buildings in a 3-mile-long path. As many as eight twisters were reported in the Franklin area shortly after 6 a.m., the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported, but apparently only one was responsible for the destruction in Franklin and neighboring Brentwood.