Clarksville NowAn aerial view from a Black Hawk helicopter as Gov. Bill Lee views tornado damage in Clarksville on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Nicole Hester/The Tennessean via Pool)
Update, 10 p.m.: There are still 11,600 CDE Lighband customers without power, with lines, wires and even a TVA tower down in Clarksville.
Update, 6:40 p.m.:The majority of Montgomery County Government offices will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Bi-County Solid Waste Management, the Highway Department, Public Safety offices, and several other County offices will remain open and focused on recovery efforts.
December’s Formal County Commission Meeting will take place Monday at 6 p.m. as scheduled.
Update, 4:30 p.m.:Down from a peak of 20,000 customers without power, CDE Lighband is now down to 11,600. “It will still be a long road ahead. There are 100-plus poles that will need to be replaced,” CDE reported. “Crews are working rotating 24-hour shifts to quickly and safely restore power.”
Update, 3:30 p.m.: Clarksville School of Fine Arts was destroyed by the storm. Next door, Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church had roof damage.
Update, 3:20 p.m.:Based on the preliminary storm survey results from the National Weather Service, an EF-3 tornado passed through Montgomery County with 150 mph winds and a path 600 yards wide, Clarksville Now news partner WKRN reported.
Gov. Bill Lee views tornado damage in Clarksville on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Nicole Hester/The Tennessean via Pool)
Gov. Bill Lee looks out the window down from a Black Hawk helicopter at tornado damage in Clarksville on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Nicole Hester/The Tennessean via Pool)
An aerial view from a Black Hawk helicopter as Gov. Bill Lee views tornado damage in Clarksville on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Nicole Hester/The Tennessean via Pool)
An aerial view of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church from a Black Hawk helicopter as Gov. Bill Lee views tornado damage in Clarksville on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Nicole Hester/The Tennessean via Pool)
Clarksville School Of Fine Arts tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Clarksville School Of Fine Arts tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Clarksville School Of Fine Arts tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Clarksville School Of Fine Arts tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist and Clarksville School Of Fine Arts tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Walnut Grove Cemetary tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Walnut Grove Cemetary tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Walnut Grove Cemetary tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Walnut Grove Cemetary tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Garrettsburg Road tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Garrettsburg Road tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Garrettsburg Road tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Garrettsburg Road tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Garrettsburg Road tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Garrettsburg Road tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Garrettsburg Road tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Garrettsburg Road tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in the West Creek Farms neighborhood in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (John Glass)
The Harmons’ house was sliced in half due to the tornado, leaving only the bedroom standing, in the Dec. 9, 2023 tornado. (Wesley Irvin)
Eric Ware, 16, managed to get into his house after the tornado to get his bible, Dec. 9, 2023. (Eric Ware contributed)
Update, 2 p.m.: State and local officials toured the damage in Clarksville Sunday afternoon. The group included Gov. Bill Lee, First Lady Maria Lee, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts.
They were told there were three deaths from the storm in Clarksville. In one fatality, a two-story home collapsed and a child was killed inside.
FEMA has issued a Level 3 state of emergency for Montgomery County. All non-essential county offices will be closed Monday.
Update, 1:40 p.m.:Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reports that Clarksville has 65 structures that have minor damage, 339 with moderate damage, and 271 with major damage making them uninhabitable, for a total of 675 damaged. There are 91 structures that were destroyed.
The vast majority of these structures are homes, according to EMA. The numbers continue to be gathered.
Update, 12:25 p.m.:CDE Lightband is working to restore power to 12,100 households as of Sunday afternoon. There are 31 additional crews, with over 200 lineworkers, helping with power restoration, CDE reported.
Residents are warned to stay away from any downed lines as they could be live and cause serious harm.
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Jordan Renfro)
A downed TVA tower after the Clarksville tornado on Dec. 9, 2023. (CDE Lightband)
Tornado damage to power lines in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (CDE Lightband, contributed)
Tornado damage to power lines in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (CDE Lightband, contributed)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Clarksville Fire Rescue responds to tornado damage search and rescue calls on Dec. 9, 2023. (CFR, contributed)
Clarksville Fire Rescue responds to tornado damage search and rescue calls on Dec. 9, 2023. (CFR, contributed)
Clarksville Fire Rescue responds to tornado damage search and rescue calls on Dec. 9, 2023. (CFR, contributed)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (CFR, contributed)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (CFR, contributed)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Trey Smith’s UPS truck, with the funnel cloud barreling toward him, in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Trey Smith, contributed)
Tornado damage in the Autumn Creek neighborhood in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Contributed)
Tornado damage in the Autumn Creek neighborhood in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Contributed)
Tornado damage in the Autumn Creek neighborhood in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Contributed)
Tornado damage in Clarksville the morning after on Dec. 10, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Colonel Christopher Midberry, Fort Campbell Garrison Commander speaking at Northeast High School at a press conference for tornado relief on Dec. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Police Chief David Crockarell speaking at Northeast High School at a press conference for tornado relief on Dec. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services Chief Jimmie Edwards speaking at Northeast High School at a press conference for tornado relief on Dec. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Fire Chief Freddie Montgomery speaking at Northeast High School at a press conference for tornado relief on Dec. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts speaking at Northeast High School at a press conference for tornado relief on Dec. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville, Montgomery County, State of Tennessee and Fort Campbell Officials speaking at Northeast High School at a press conference for tornado relief on Dec. 10, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Update, 11:20 a.m.:Montgomery County residents are asked to put all storm debris in the county right-of-way and crews will pick it up. “Please be patient as there is a lot to remove,” the announcement said.
Update, 10:30 a.m.:Emergency officials gave an update Sunday morning on the tornado damage and impact.
The fatalities has remained at three. A total of 62 people were injured, nine of them critically, according to Montgomery County Emergency Services Chief Jimmie Edwards.
People are urged to stay away from the area as crews continue search and recovery operations. “Please stay out of the way,” Police Chief David Crockerell said, adding that the fewer calls for service CPD has, the better they can respond to the storm damage. A 9 p.m. curfew remains in effect Sunday night.
Fort Campbell Garrison Commander Col. Christopher Midberry said about 100 Fort Campbell families lost their homes in the storm.
Update, 10 a.m.:Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
District offices will also be closed so personnel can assist with tornado recovery. “Assessments are ongoing of campuses and communities, and we will update families tomorrow about plans for the rest of the week, including plans for high school exams,” according to CMCSS spokesman Anthony Johnson.
“Our hearts are heavy as we learn of the loss of lives and critical injuries from yesterday’s storms. Many families have completely lost their homes and others are doing what they can to make repairs. This was a devastating and tragic weather event in our community,” Johnson said.
“From emergency services and utilities crews to churches, businesses, and community volunteers, we are so grateful for everyone who has worked through the night to help their neighbors. Last night at the Northeast High shelter, there was an outpouring of support and donations from churches, restaurants, businesses, and community members. We did not want to accidentally leave anyone out by name, so we just want to say thank you to everyone who has offered support. The Clarksville-Montgomery County community is strong, and families will need our continued support, love, and prayers in the days ahead.”
Police on Sunday morning urged people who are not directly involved to avoid the tornado-damaged area.
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
A highway sign damaged by the tornado in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Christopher McKeethen, contributed)
A home on Evans Road was cut in half by a tornado in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
A tornado touches down in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Joe Quinters, contributed)
The top floors of these apartments at Peachers Mill Road were destroyed by a tornado in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Koreen Rea, contributed)
A tornado touches down in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Joe Quinters, contributed)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Joe Quinters, contributed)
Tornado damage in Clarksville on Dec. 9, 2023. (Joe Quinters, contributed)
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“The Clarksville Police Department wants to express their deepest condolences to the families that lost loved ones, and to those who were directly affected by the tornado yesterday. The road to recovery is going to take time and we ask that citizens who are not directly involved in search, rescue, or recovery efforts avoid the impacted areas,” police spokesman Scott Beaubien said.
“Emergency crews are working as quickly as possible, and operations will continue until the scenes have been checked and cleared.”
The Red Cross is still set up at Northeast High School, located at 3701 Trenton Road, as a shelter for those who need assistance.
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts declared a State of Emergency Saturday night, including a curfew that continues Sunday night, beginning at 9 p.m.
“This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones. The City stands ready to help them in their time of grief,” Pitts said.
Mayor Wes Golden said, “This is a sad day for our community. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end.”
