Weather
Mother and Daughter killed in Morgan County tornado identified
A suspected tornado tore through Morgan County, Tennessee, on Thursday night, claiming the lives of a mother and daughter and injuring three others.
The deadly storm was part of a larger winter weather system that caused widespread destruction across the eastern United States.
According to the Morgan County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Office, the tornado struck the small communities of Deer Lodge and Sunbright at approximately 8:27 p.m., causing severe property damage.
Among the fatalities were Wendy Smith, 45, and her daughter, Felicia Williams, 22, who were in the same home when the storm hit.
Wendy’s husband, identified as Smith, shared his grief publicly, remembering his wife and stepdaughter as inseparable in both life and death.
“My beautiful and loving wife Wendy Smith is gone at the age of 45. Her friendly and beautiful daughter Felicia Williams is gone with her mother. Felicia is forever 22 years old. As in life, they were inseparable at their deaths,” he said.
Smith described Wendy as a devoted mother and hardworking employee of Williams Market, where she had worked for more than 20 years.
Felicia, he said, had been pursuing her dream of becoming a healthcare professional, dedicating herself to helping others.
“Wendy loved watching reality TV and getting her nails done. She was shy and quiet but possessed a passion for her family that is incomparable,” Smith shared. “Felicia loved Tim Burton movies and was so excited about the new and final season of Stranger Things coming out. She loved her friends, family, and her Starbucks coffee.”
The loss has been especially devastating for Wendy’s 18-year-old son, Peyton, who is now without the two people closest to him.
“Our grief is immeasurable,” Smith said. “We both appreciate the outpouring of sympathy, prayers, and love.”
More than 100 emergency responders have been deployed across Morgan County to assist with search and rescue operations.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has dispatched a specialized strike team to aid in locating any missing persons and assessing the damage.
As daylight broke Friday morning, damage assessments began in the hardest-hit areas. Aaron Evans, spokesperson for the Morgan County Emergency Management Agency, said teams are now working to determine the full extent of destruction.
“We’ll get a better picture of what the scene looks like, how much damage there is,” Evans said. “Teams will be able to get a better grip and grasp on the area to see how many homes were damaged.”
At 9:45 a.m. Friday, approximately 8% of Morgan County remained without power, according to PowerOutage.us. The storm also disrupted phone and internet services, and officials have urged residents to avoid affected areas.
The National Weather Service is expected to send a team to Deer Lodge on Friday to confirm whether the destruction was caused by a tornado. If verified, this would mark the first deadly tornado event of 2025.
Thursday night’s storm struck more than two hours after sunset, a factor that increases the danger of tornadoes.
A 2022 study found that tornadoes occurring at night are twice as likely to be deadly as those during the daytime due to reduced visibility and the difficulty in taking shelter.
Since 1965, Morgan County has experienced multiple tornadoes, including a devastating F3 twister in 2002 that killed seven people about 20 miles southeast of Deer Lodge. More recently, an EF1 tornado touched down in Sunbright last year.
Tennessee typically averages three tornadoes in February, a number lower than the peak tornado months of April and May. However, February tornadoes have become increasingly frequent, with 45 recorded across the United States last year alone.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as emergency crews work to provide aid to those affected.
Orlando, Fla. – Severe storms swept through Central Florida on Monday morning, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and multiple tornado warnings across the Orlando area.
A radar-confirmed tornado touched down along Interstate 4 in Lake Mary at approximately 9:30 a.m., causing structural damage, downed trees, and power outages. Officials report that around 3,500 residents are without power as a result of the storm.
West of Lake Mary, storm-related damage was reported at the Sweetwater Clubhouse tennis courts north of Wekiva Springs Road, where trees were downed.
Further damage assessments are underway in surrounding areas.
Seminole County Fire Rescue confirmed that emergency crews were assisting with storm damage along the 2100 block of Blue Iris Place.
According to meteorologist Noah Bergren, preliminary assessments suggest that the tornado was likely an EF0 or possibly a brief EF1, with estimated touchdown near Lake Mary Boulevard on the city’s west side.
Seminole County Emergency Management spokesperson Alan Harris reported multiple instances of structural damage, including a collapsed home and overturned vehicles.
Additionally, downed trees and power lines have made several roadways impassable.
As of Monday morning, no injuries had been reported. However, authorities continue to urge caution as cleanup efforts begin.
“Do not go outside right now,” Harris advised in a public statement. “Stay in your home or business until conditions improve.”
The tornado formed as a result of an intense storm system moving across Central Florida, which brought heavy downpours, gusty winds, and the potential for additional tornado activity.
Meteorologists anticipate that the storms will move quickly through the region, with rainfall expected to taper off by early to mid-afternoon.
A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
It does not guarantee that a tornado will occur but serves as an alert for residents to remain vigilant.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a severe thunderstorm is classified as one that produces winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail measuring one inch in diameter or larger.
Officials continue to monitor weather conditions and encourage residents to stay informed through local news outlets and emergency alerts.