02.05.08 Memphis / Jackson, Tennessee Tornadoes
A massive tornado has produced considerable damage across southeast Memphis. Quite a bit of damage reported at the Memphis International Airport, including the fire station at the FedEx terminal. Roof blown off one hanger. Many planes moved around including a 737!
Tornado went on to damage a lot of homes in Pleasant Ridge and massive damage at the Hickory Ridge Mall. So far no injures or deaths reported as of this writing.
UPDATE: As many as 14 people are trapped in a building near the Hickory Ridge Mall area. Several already have been transported for injuries!
UPDATE 11:36 PM CST: 1 CONFIRMED FATALITY FROM A WAREHOUSE COLLAPSE. 8 OTHERS INJURED AT SAME LOCATION, 2 CRITICAL.
The storm flew up I40 to the NE producing intermittent damage, and then struck Jackson with another damaging tornado. Reports coming from that area are that there is significant damage at Union University where people are reported trapped in the women’s dormitories. The hospital is reported damage, numerous overturned vehicles in the area, and the Northside High School in the Oakhill area is reported damaged.
UPDATE 10:11PM CST: 2 CONFIRMED DEATHS IN THE UNION UNIVERSITY AREA. UNKNOWN IF THIS WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OR NEARBY. SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL TRAPPED AT THE UNIVERSITY.
UPDATE 10:54 PM CDT: ALL BUT 3 OF THE PEOPLE TRAPPED AT UNION UNIVERSITY HAVE BEEN FREED.
UPDATE 11:37 PM CDT: AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE TRAPPED AT THE JACKSON OAKS RETIREMENT HOME. 1 DEATH IN JACKSON, LOCATION UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
Further south more tornadoes have struck in Mississippi in LaFayette County with several homes reported destroyed along with two industrial buildings and a church. One injury reported there at this time.
Other tornadoes have caused damage back to the west in Arkansas as well. Details are still sketchy at this time.
UPDATE 10:12 PM CST: 7 CONFIRMED DEATHS IN ARKANSAS. LOCATION UNKNOWN TO ME AT THIS TIME. 11:33 PM CST 3 FATALITIES WERE ATKINS, AR. 2 FATALITIES IN IN CONWAY COUNTY, AR. CLINTON AND GLASSVILLE, AR EACH HAD ONE FATALITY.
And the severe weather is not even begun to be over yet. Still numerous tornado warnings still in effect, including another one headed in the Memphis direction, and a huge squall line to come through later to hamper rescue efforts across the area.
Super Tuesday just took on a whole new meaning.
Written by David on February 5th, 2008 with
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