STORM DAMAGE IN TENNESSEE

May 7, 1999
		Four people were killed by powerful storms in western Tennessee on Wednesday and Thursday. They came from the same weather system that spawned tornadoes in the southern plains that killed 46 earlier this week. -- Posted 3:20 pm ET

Online NewsHour Special Report: Killer Tornadoes in the Midwest May 5, 1999: Picking up the pieces. May 4, 1999: Officials talk about the tornadoes in Oklahoma. May 4, 1999: Tornadoes in Kansas and Oklahoma Full coverage of storms and other weather disasters   Storm Prediction Center National Weather Service

The storm swept through Tennessee late Wednesday and early Thursday, leaving 50 people injured and millions of dollars of damage. Thirty counties reported damage, and officials say it will take up to five days to restore power in some parts of the state. The tiny town of Linden, 70 miles southwest of Nashville, was among the hardest hit. The storm killed three people, injured six and knocked out power to the community of 1,300. In Nashville, 50,000 Nashville Electric Service customers lost power and public schools were closed on Thursday. The morning commute was slowed by scores of darkened traffic lights and numerous downed trees. Most customers had their power back by midday. Tornadoes at the beginning of the week killed 41 people in Oklahoma and five people in Kansas. Thirteen people are still reported missing in Oklahoma, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As residents and rescue workers begin to pick up the pieces, estimates of damage continue to climb. Officials in Oklahoma, which was the hardest hit, estimate that more than ten thousand homes were destroyed or damaged. There were no confirmed twisters in Tennessee, but funnel clouds were reported in 8 counties.