At least six people were killed, 50 homes were destroyed and nearly 500 others evacuated in central Tennessee after a series of cyclical
tornadoes marked a 100+ mile path of destruction on December 9th and 10th.

The National Weather Service confirmed 16 tornadoes touched down in middle and west Tennessee; the combined force of these created the 5th largest tornado outbreak on record in that area of the state.

The morning revealed a patchwork of damaged homes and businesses,
mangled trees yanked out of the ground by their roots and shredded debris
from whatever got in the way of the sometimes 160-mph twisters. Trees buckled. Homes were ripped apart. Power failed. Roofs were blown off buildings.

https://www.tennessean.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/12/10/PNAS/71870540007-tornado-an-121023004.jpg?crop=5966,3357,x0,y310&width=660&height=372&format=pjpg&auto=webp
Damaged homes are seen in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023.
Credit: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

At least six people — including at least one child — in Montgomery and Davidson counties were killed, and more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents were left without power.

Damage is seen on Nesbitt Lane in the Madison area of Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. At least six people are dead and more than 150,000 are without power after storms containing tornadoes and high winds hit Middle Tennessee.

Damage, including downed power lines, is seen in the Madison area of Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.
Credit: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Utility workers have been deployed in-force to restore power. Churches and the Red Cross opened at least seven emergency shelters across the area, and volunteers registered to help clean up debris, donate blood and bring needed supplies to organizations leading the recovery efforts.

FEMA has also provided approximately 123 homeowners and renters with rental assistance after they were forced to seek shelter due to tornado damage making their property unsafe and uninhabitable. To date, 475 housing inspections have been issued in middle and west Tennessee.

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Stories from within the NABF

NABF member groups operating in the area will be providing support to the area to support the relocation, housing, feeding, and medical care of victims in immediate need as part of disaster response program to support the people of Tennessee.

NABF member National Baptist Convention of America INC. (NBCA) under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Tolbert sent a team to Clarksville Tennessee, to give support to two churches (Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, and Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church) in the midst of cleanup and restoration after the destructive tornadoes.


Damage to the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023.
Credit: NBCA Disaster Response

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How You Can Help:

Pray: 

  • pray for the lost of life
  • pray for the many victims that have lost homes
  • pray for the first responders and fire fighters involved
  • pray for town and community leaders as they work to rebuild infrastructure
  • pray for the willing hearts and hands that are coming to give relief in this disaster

Financial Assistance:
NBCA Home Missions has a CashApp name that you can donate directly to and will go to these missions: $NBCAHOMEMISSION.

Alternatively, donations can be made to the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, which allows non-profit and faith-based partners to concentrate on survivors as managed by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Please also consider donating to the work of the NABF in communicating and seeking to facilitate collaboration among these disaster relief efforts across our continent using the link/button below to donate by credit card or Zelle.

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We are grateful for your partnership in this important disaster relief work.

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