At least three people were killed and 23 were injured and being treated at the hospital Saturday following a tornado in Montgomery County, Tennessee, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said.
Officials said that it was two adults and one child who were killed.
“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,” Mayor Wes Golden said in a statement.
City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts offered his sympathies over the tragedy.
“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 in a statement.
Multiple long-track tornadoes were reported in northwest Tennessee Saturday afternoon, as the twister threat in the region continues into the evening.
“Extensive” damage has been reported in the city of Clarksville, located about 48 miles northwest of Nashville, after a tornado hit Saturday afternoon, police said.
In a screen grab from a video posted to social media, a possible tornado is shown in Clarksville, TN., on Dec. 9, 2023.
Jimmy Trodglen
Police urged people to stay off the roads as crews responded to multiple locations in the north Clarksville area.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Saturday that there was “damage to several homes” in Clarksville after a tornado touched down in the area of Hand Estates, but that they “do not have any confirmed casualties or missing persons” at this time.
“This is a day that nobody wanted or expected,” Pitts said in a video message. “We know there’s extensive damage throughout the community.”
In a screen grab from a video posted to social media, a possible tornado is shown in Clarksville, TN., on Dec. 9, 2023.
Chet/Twitter
In a screen grab from a video posted to social media, a possible tornado is shown in Clarksville, TN., on Dec. 9, 2023.
Brittney Ballard
In the rural town of Dresden, multiple homes, powerlines, and trees were impacted by a tornado, according to the town’s fire department.
The National Weather Service also issued a tornado emergency alert Saturday afternoon for several Nashville suburbs, including Hendersonville and Gallatin, due to a confirmed, damaging tornado.
A tornado watch is in effect until 7 p.m. CT for parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
Severe thunderstorms capable of producing a few tornadoes, scattered damaging winds, and large hail are possible through Saturday evening from Louisiana to Kentucky.
ABC News’ Matt Foster and Kenton Gewecke contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.