Video Shows Massive Tornado Roaring Through Tennessee: 'Extremely Violent'

In this aerial view, buildings sit destroyed by a tornado on April 3, 2024 in Sunbright, Tennessee. An extremely dangerous tornado tore through Tennessee on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a “tornado emergency,” the highest level of warning the weather service can issue, when a massive twister roared through Tennessee on Wednesday, killing at least two people.

A slew of severe weather has spanned the nation over the past week, bringing significant tornadoes to Oklahoma and Texas, among many other states. On Wednesday, at least four tornado reports were issued throughout Tennessee, AccuWeather reported. A video captured one of the powerful twisters as it tore through the state.

“Talk about terrifying! This was the storm that prompted a “tornado emergency” in Spring Hill, TN, south of Nashville along I-65,” social media account @WeatherNation posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a video of the massive storm. “That is the highest level of tornado warning the weather service can issue.”

“A tornado emergency was declared for a confirmed extremely Large violent Damaging tornado that’s on ground #Columbia | #Tennessee The National Weather Service in Tennessee had declared [Tornado] emergency,” account @rawsalerts posted.

“As a confirmed large and extremely violent tornado is on the ground heading toward Spring Hill TN, Chapel Hill TN and Eagleville TN. Residents in the area should take shelter immediately, as this is a life-threatening situation. Once again, this is a tornado emergency as confirmed, extremely large, and damaging tornado on the ground, causing significant damage.”

Extreme storm chaser Reed Timmer also shared a video of the massive tornado and commented on the sound it made as it moved, often compared to the roar of a train.

“Listen to the roar! This loud roar is a clear sign of a strong #tornado. This is the wedge near Langton, TN,” Timmer posted.

NWS meteorologist Brittney Whitehead told Newsweek that meteorologists hadn’t yet determined the tornado’s rating, but that a team would be assessing damage on Thursday. A rating will likely be determined by Thursday evening. Meteorologists canceled the tornado watch for middle Tennessee early on Thursday morning, but various flood alerts, including a flash flood warning, are still in place.

“Between 5 and 7 inches of rain have fallen. Flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is expected. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” the warning said.

According to the AccuWeather report, hundreds of tornadoes have been reported in the U.S. this year as of May 6. Texas led as the state with the most tornado reports at 62, followed closely by Iowa at 58. As of the time of the report, Tennessee had experienced three tornadoes, but that number does not include the four that allegedly occurred on Wednesday.

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