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Subscribe to RSSSeveral buildings and a marina were badly damaged by storms in eastern Tennessee. Msnbc.com's Dara Brown reports.
A storm that tore through Tennessee killed at least four people while tossing boats, tipping over trailers at a campground and toppling hundreds of trees with winds up to 70 mph.
A child and her grandmother died when a double-decker pontoon boat on a Chattanooga lake capsized after being hit by a strong gust, Dan Hicks, a spokesman with the state's Wildlife Resources Agency, told msnbc.com. The grandmother had been hospitalized but later died of her injuries.
The storm "came up really quick ... they were trying to get back to the bank," said Hicks, who noted the high profile of the boat probably contributed to the accident.
"It was the fastest storm I've ever seen," witness Stan Crawley told The Chattanoogan. "It was fine, then two minutes later the storm was here. The waves were three and four feet high. We saw the pontoon boat flip on its top."
The other two deaths, and eight injuries, were at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Teams on Friday were searching for more victims from the Thursday evening storm, but felt confident the toll would not rise. While rangers "have not walked all trails," spokesman Carey Jones told msnbc.com, all visitors "appear to be accounted for" based on a search of main roads and public areas.
Jeff Farrell / The Mountain Press via AP
The roof of the Carl Ownby & Co. hardware store, background center, sits on the Juvenile Detention Center, foreground right, in Sevierville, Tenn., on Thursday after winds ripped it off and hurled it across a five-lane street. No injuries were reported.
A man riding a motorcycle died when hit by a tree limb and a woman was crushed to death by a falling tree that injured three others, the park said in a statement. A girl, 7, and her father were airlifted to a hospital. Their conditions were not known. The girl's mother suffered minor injuries.
Much of the damage was at the popular Cades Cove.
Staff from other parks were being brought in to help with the search and cleanup, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported. "We're calling all hands on deck," said Deputy Park Superintendent Kevin Fitzgerald. "The most important thing right now is to get crews safely in there to assess what's going on."
Many roads inside the park were blocked by trees, and access into the park was blocked on the highway leading out of Townsend.
On nearby Douglas Lake, many boats at Mountain Cove Marina were destroyed or damaged.
Mark Northern said he was in his houseboat at the marina when the storm hit.
"It just took me and everybody on that dock like we were just toys," he told NBC affiliate WBIR-TV. "It happened so fast that I didn't even know where I was until I walked out to the front of the houseboat ... there was wreckage as high as you could see."
Several trailers were knocked over at a campground in Wears Valley, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported
The storm cut power to some 56,000 households in eastern Tennessee, including parts of Knoxville. The local utility said it could take several days for power to be restored to everyone.
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My prayers are with the people of east Tennessee, my home, though I live in VA at the moment.
hey what about the downed trees in cumberland county and power outages in and around crossville,tn? but i was fortunate, my neighborhood didn't sufffer this problem, but we had a lot of gusty winds and the damage was nearby. i wish we could get nashville to cover our news instead of knoxville (we always get left out of any disaster that we're involved by the knoxville news media)and we're only 80 miles west of there! we usted to get nashville tv stations,but our cable co., decided that it be better to get the ones in knoxville, i think that's stupid.
Awwwwww,poor baby. STFU,crybaby.
Phillip - there was a lot of coverage of the entire region, including Cumberland Co, last night on the news. Typically, your area (having lived in Cookeville) gets hit with the more serious weather, so it's important to make sure the Knoxville/GSM area gets their coverage given all of the atypical deaths, injuries, and destruction.
Please spell Chattanooga correctly.
It's MSNBC. The don't have spell check.
54buick-
Now thats an understatement!
Obviously, from my post I didn't use it either! But then, I'm not getting paid to report.
Please worry about the more important things.
I have a 54 buick, it would fly.
Stacy D9999
What difference does is make if someone misspells a word or two.. this is not a spelling contest ... as long as you get the drift of what they are trying to say you need to have a little respect toward that persons efforts. They may have a learning disability, made a typo, some could be less educated than others ... but that doesn't mean they should be criticized for their spelling or even incorrect grammar.
Very well said. It seems you have an understanding of things beyond your realm unlike others...Kudo
Wow, and all some people worry about is spelling errors? Is that temporary moment of superiority worth a post? Some people. Well said Eastside-ChicagoGal.
If you want to get the complete story you have to go the local news sources:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/05/fast-moving-storms-trap-park-visitors-block-et/
I was on the phone with a friend in TN as she was watching the doppler radar and she said there were barely any green areas....mostly red, magenta and black areas and the wind was crazy.
Chattanooga misspelled twice in the story.
So what. It is the information in the story that is of interest; not whether they spell the name of a city correctly. Kind of trivial if this is the only thing you and a few others have to comment on.
If it's trivial, then we can also call it about five times as embarrassing coming from a news source which should be concerned with accuracy, and in the age of spell check. Watch this: Chatanooga. Surprise, it's squiggly-underlined in red. Not that hard.
Misspelling of Chattanooga is simply verification that MSNBC is no longer a news organization. They didn't even bother vetting a presidential candidate like Barack Hussein Obama. Do you think they give a tiny rat's behind whether they misspell a word???
The most vetted president in history wasn't vetted by MSNBC? Sounds like you might be a dittohead.
ProBusiness, STFU
So what?????
My thoughts and prayers to all. This story caught my eye as I will be traveling there in a couple weeks. Very scary storms can come up so quickly.
It's amazing how quickly it happened, that's what surprises me. What crazy climate and weather patterns we have all been having lately.
Weather can come up quickly or slowly, and has been doing so for eons. Having lately?! Are you really this clueless?
Yes I know weather changes can take place slowly or quickly and always has, but it's typically not INSTANTANEOUS; even when the weather becomes extreme there is usually a little bit of warning first. And I was referring to recent weather on a global scale, which, if you research all different types of weather across the board, has been very erratic compared to the norm. So yes, lately definitely applies, and of course I am not clueless. Are you? Now you can find somebody else to attack.
Well, duh.... have you ever heard about global climate change?????
Anyone who doesn't think we're going to suffer from failing to act is in deep denial. Unfortunately, there are a lot of idiots who think we can continue to destroy this planet and not suffer any consequences. Makes you wonder what the stories are about other planets that have water on them, but appear to be dead...
wally seems i find you every where making excuses and telling all how this is normal weather - ALL on post that are telling tales of how severe and destructive weather has actually been - its as though you want every one to look away and pay no attention - why - all stories of record heat ,storms ,drought , wildfires ... roads exploding - wild stuff wally, wild world we live in these days - you can play it down all you want - but you cant make it stop and it just keeps coming - doesnt it -
Wally, maybe you are the one who is clueless. Maybe you should read about global warming and climate change... I have lived in Tennessee for over 50 years and the weather has NEVER been this extreme and it is just as the scientists have predicted... Turn off Fux News and read something....
I hope all my relatives are okay. I couldn't get in touch with anyone because your phones and cell phones are not connecting. So, any Reagans, Eubanks, Fusons, Coles, LaFollettes (Douglas Lake), Bakers, Maples, Ownbys and Watsons,etc. I hope you are all right. I'll be praying for all of you. I hate that Cades Cove was hit hard. We had our storm last week in Pennsylvania with trees and power-lines down but not as bad as this.
Expect more, a lot more. "Oh it's always done this or that" "Ask your Grandfather about storms he's seen".
I'm old enough to know B.S. when I see it. These are once every 25-100 year occurrences happening multiple times each year. Last week had over 6,000 U.S. heat records set , did it not?
I am not looking forward to my children's future Earth after I'm gone, and really, isn't that the point?
My mom lives 40 miles East of Knoxville and she said the storm came up super fast. They lost power and just got it back a few minutes ago. My 8 year old, who is visiting them, had to learn how to adapt to life without electricity for less than a day. The horror!!
Sad story, especially when kids are hurt. Cade's Cove is a beautiful place. I hope none of the old buildings were damaged.
Actually local Chattanooga news has just confirmed it was a 10 year old girl who died, not a 2 year old boy as was previously reported this morning. More than 25,000 in Southeast TN are without power. There was hardly any rain associated with storm, our local meteorologists have classified it as a gust front from the severe storms in the Knoxville area.
We were just there last week for vacation. They needed the rain, but not like this. I can't imagine the damage a windstorm like that can do in such a wooded area. I really hope there is no one else trapped or injured on those trails. There is just so much acerage to search. How tragic for those families who just wanted a little time together. How do you recover from something like that?
YES...very sad, especially when it involves children...its happening everywhere in the country...tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, floods, fires....mother nature is helping us people think twice of how we treat this earth....
You're "name" suggests an anti-religious bent, but you invoke "mother nature" as if she has revenge on her mind... :rolling eyes: These are not new or particularly rare storm occurances.
Condolences to the families, and apologies to the masses, I don't suffer fools gladly.
MWP_N_Cookeville......stay away from priests is for all the priests that have raped innocent children or for that fact who have raped anyone...so no apologies to the masses...thank you very much
My prayers go out to the folks in east Tennessee
I was at work when the storm hit. It was very fast, full of hail and lightning, and the winds were gusting around hurricane force. The temperature dropped nearly 30 degrees in around an hour. I am still in the process of removing my lawn furniture from my neighbor's yard. I am fortunate that blown furniture is all I have to worry about. We really need the rain, but nobody needs all of the other mess that comes with these types of storms. GSMNP is still closed. Many thanks to all of the concerned people who have offered prayers, well-wishes, and other support. We haven't had storms this severe since the super-outbreak of April 2011.
also pray for the folks of the counties of the cumberland plateau region, (fentress overton,pickett, smith,putnam, cumberland, van buren, white, dekalb,bledsoe,morgan and scott counties), not just the area of falls creek state park, or in the chattanooga area. they were hit hard with power outages and wind damage. thanks.
I see they've already called you out Mr. MSNBC "Reporter" who can't spell Chattanooga, OR Ware's Valley! I don't even live in Tennessee but I know the correct spellings...... Seriously.
Wears Valley was spelled correctly.
There's nothing in the story to hint that this was a tornado, so it must have been another "derecho"--a direct line high wind. those seem to be occurring more frequently lately. Is that a new pattern, or simply a coincidence?
yeah something new gregory something that comes with global warming - it s amazing how many articles there are to comment on about WIERD ,WILD, EXTREME WEATHER- seems like every freakin day now - much more then before - uummm - oh well im sure its nothing - guess we cant say that to the victims though - man what next - oh dont worry im sure it will be ............ oh whats that drought and heat have destroyed the corn crop .... well no biggie ,,,,what texas crops and cattle also devastated - oh well sure it will be .... wait what six states in wid west on fire ........... well listen stuff happens 5 million lose power in mib atlantic states -- ( just in case fox news did not fill you in ) 107 in st louis tioday and just to make sure we did not leave anyone out expecting 104 in ny tom with heat index of 112 da dah - oh forgot to mention roads all over the country exploding from the heat - be safe- just dont freak when you look at your next elec bill from having to run the ac 24/7 - now be safe
Today's noon news reports the grandmother has passed away also.
It would take more than 70 mile per hour winds to do the damage I see in the photo above. They are underestimating the winds in the recent storms. My prayers go out to all that have suffered losses from all of the recent storms in so many states.
I was just in the Great Smoky Mountains a week ago and we also have to drive through Chattanooga to get home. Been to all of the towns listed many times but my absolute favorite is Cades Cove. There's just something about that place that has a very special place in my heart. Thoughts and prayers going out to those who lost their lives and those injured from these awful storms.
Had these people repented for their sins against God Almighty, they would be alive today. The wrath of our Lord is swift and final.
yeah big al this child and granmother had it coming - and your freakin lord had nothing to do with this - he doesnt even exist you fool - want to really blame someone - how about the republicans they caused this mess by denying climate change - and making sure we did nothing about it -
Big Al, I think you should go back and read what Jesus said about judging others...
Condolences to the families of the deceased. This sure sounds like the work of a tornado.
With extreme temperatures, the weather becomes as unstable as Newsvine commenters - but theirs is an instability of the mind due to long term intellectual starvation.
I tried to get in contact with my relatives, but your phones and cell phones are not connecting. If any Reagans, Eubanks, Coles, Maples, Ownbys, LaFollettes (Douglas Lake), Bakers, Fusons, and Watsons, etc. see this, I am praying for all of you. We had our storm last week with trees and powerlines down in Pennsylvania, but not as bad as this and Virginia. I hate that Cades " Aunt Kate's" Cove was hit hard. I miss all of you.
It is curious that some of the terms used to describe weather, such as '100 year floods' are often misunderstood. In the 1970's Abilene, TX had '100 year floods' three years in a row! Strait line winds can be as destructive as tornadoes, but must cover an area over 250 miles to be recognized as 'duratio' winds. So what? Whatever you call this stuff, it still happens and sometimes avoiding it or getting home safely is difficult, if not impossible. If you haven't figured it out yet, bad weather happens all over the globe and is unpredictable. No country is immune.