The National Weather Service in Middle Tennessee confirmed the presence of three tornadoes on May 8th after conducting storm surveys. In Maury County near Columbia, an EF3 tornado with winds of up to 140 mph was on the ground for 27 minutes. Rutherford County experienced an EF-0 tornado with 80mph winds, while in Robertson County, EF-1 damage was found with peak winds of 90 mph. Perry County suffered from straight-line winds of 75 mph causing downed trees and powerlines. The Tennessee Valley Authority faced criticism for moving forward with a new natural gas plant despite warnings.
The National Weather Service plans to inspect areas in Giles, Smith, and Warren Counties on Friday, with potential surveys in Lawrence, northeast Giles, and Marshall Counties. Additional surveys may be conducted in the future as more storm reports come in. A boil water notice has been issued in Monroe County, with schools providing bottled water. The severe storms have caused significant damage throughout East Tennessee.
The impacts of these tornadoes and severe weather incidents have prompted a response from the relevant authorities and a thorough investigation of the affected areas. Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety in the wake of these natural disasters.
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