MORGAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Following the death of at least two people and several people being injured, the National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Morgan County on Thursday.
NWS said an EF2 tornado touched down near Deer Lodge just after 8 p.m. on February 7. It then dissipated near the Sunbright community around 8:22 p.m. According to the damage survey, the tornado had a length of 13.93 miles and a width of 200 yards with max wind spreads reaching up to 135 miles per hour.
NWS shared that the tornado destroyed two mobile homes and damaged multiple barns and outbuildings near the intersection of Twin Bridge Road and Thurman Lavender Road. As it continued southeast, it snapped several trees consistent with EF1 damage near Highway 62 and Deer Lodge Highway.
The Morgan County Emergency Management Agency reported that a mother and daughter had died and three others were injured following the tornado. The EMA has deployed more than 100 personnel to the area to identify and assist those in need.
The storm caused downed trees and powerlines, and even ripped the roofs off of some buildings.
Storm damage in Morgan County (WATE)
Storm damage in Morgan County (WATE)
Storm damage in Morgan County (WATE)
Storm damage in Morgan County (WATE)
Storm damage in Morgan County (WATE)
NWS added that this is the first confirmed February tornado in Morgan County on record. Only 12 tornadoes have been confirmed in February for East Tennessee (1942-2011). The last one was in 2011 in McMinn and Monroe Counties.
NWS also confirmed four additional tornadoes in Tennessee from this weather system, with with preliminary storm survey results from Morgan, Grainger, Jackson, Putnam, and Overton counties.
In April 2024, the Sunbright community of Morgan County was hit by a tornado causing significant damage. In addition, the Mossy Grove community of Morgan County was hit by a tornado on November 10, 2002. Seven deaths were reported following this storm.
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