Clay County Hardest Hit Early Saturday By Storms

The Hermitage Springs community of Clay County suffered tree damage from what the National Weather Service called a likely tornado early Saturday morning.

The Weather Service reports a large tornado debris signature on radar just after 4am Saturday morning. The signature shows building materials and trees on radar.

“At this time, we ask that people, please stay off the roadways in the west end of Clay County areas while the First Responders try and clean debris and trees from several roadways and check on citizens in the hardest hit areas,” Clay County Sheriffs Department posted to Facebook just after 6:30am.

EMA officials reported trees blocking Highway 52, while a power outage was reported from the Moss community back over to the Macon County line. Clay County EMA officials also reported trees down in other parts of the county.

Tree and debris reported in the roadway in areas throughout Jackson County, while a power outage was reported in the Dodson’s Branch area. In Overton County, multiple trees and power lines downs within the city limits of Livingston.

In Fentress County, wind gusts of 40-50 miles per hour were reported, along with hail. Volunteer Energy reported about 200 customers without power in Fentress County, as of 6am Saturday. Some 60 residents without power in Pickett County.

The National Weather Service estimated straight line winds of 60-80mph across the Upper Cumberland with the first line of storms.