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.
NEW JERSEY – Torrential rainfall has triggered widespread flash flooding across northern New Jersey, leaving roadways submerged, traffic paralyzed, and numerous motorists stranded.
In response to the rapidly deteriorating conditions, Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency Monday evening at 7:33 p.m., urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
“Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey,” Murphy wrote in a statement released on social media.
The flash flooding has severely impacted several major roadways, including:
- Route 22: Entire sections of the highway were completely underwater, with numerous vehicles stalled in rising floodwaters. Emergency responders are on scene assisting trapped motorists.
- New Jersey Turnpike: Near Newark, both northbound and southbound lanes experienced heavy flooding, resulting in lane closures and significant traffic delays. Some areas of the Turnpike are reported to be completely impassable as water levels continue to rise.
Residents described scenes of devastation, with roads transformed into rivers and entire neighborhoods inundated. Video footage from affected areas shows cars partially submerged, and water rushing through intersections and parking lots.
Officials have issued a strong warning: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Flash flooding remains an active threat as more rain is forecast throughout the evening and into Tuesday.
Emergency management teams across the state are working to coordinate response efforts, deploy high-water rescue vehicles, and mitigate further flooding.
Despite the swift response, public reaction has been mixed, with some residents criticizing the timing and preparedness of local and state agencies.
One social media user remarked, “Don’t bother calling FEMA, nobody will answer,” reflecting growing frustration over emergency response delays.
The duration of the State of Emergency remains unclear, but officials stress that residents should continue to monitor official alerts, follow emergency guidance, and contact 2-1-1 for shelter assistance if displaced.
If you are experiencing a flood-related emergency, contact local authorities immediately.
This is a developing situation. More updates will follow as the weather event continues to unfold.