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From Flood Rescues to Tornado Devastation: How the Storms Impacted Middle Tennessee and Beyond

Issue #380

16 Mar

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 53 & low of 32

📰 From Flood Rescues to Tornado Devastation: How the Storms Impacted Middle Tennessee and Beyond

🎉 Mayor proclaims Friday, March 14, 2025, as “CHS Game Day Cheer Team Day”

🤣 Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall Set to Headline 2025 Nashville Comedy Festival at the Ryman

📌 April 5: WCMGA Spring Garden Festival and Plant Sale

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Sunday, March 16th

Monday, March 17th

Tuesday, March 18th

Wednesday, March 19th

Thursday, March 20th

Friday, March 21st

*More events coming soon!

From Flood Rescues to Tornado Devastation: How the Storms Impacted Middle Tennessee and Beyond

Middle Tennessee residents experienced some storm damage as severe weather swept across a large part of the country, though other regions faced even greater devastation.

Heavy rainfall led to flooding concerns in several counties. Areas from Humphreys County through Dickson County to Montgomery County received between 4-6 inches of rain over the past 24 hours. In Lawrence County, fire rescue units responded to a vehicle submerged in water, while multiple crashes were reported in Humphreys County due to hazardous conditions.

In Rutherford County, four people had to be rescued from a flooded vehicle on Shalom Street. Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department crews responded after the vehicle drove into a flooded waterway. No injuries were reported in the incident or the rescue operation.

While Middle Tennessee faced flooding and storm-related damage, other parts of the country suffered extreme destruction. At least 30 people lost their lives as dozens of tornadoes, high winds, and dust storms ripped through multiple states on Friday and Saturday.

Fatalities were reported in Kansas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri. In Missouri, three people were killed Friday night when an EF-3 tornado with peak winds of 140 mph struck Bakersfield, according to the National Weather Service. The state later confirmed a total of 12 deaths. Governor Mike Kehoe posted on X Saturday, “…the devastation is heartbreaking. Homes and businesses have been destroyed, entire communities are without power and the road to recovery will not be easy."

Mississippi also suffered heavy losses, with Governor Tate Reeves reporting six deaths, three missing individuals, and 29 injuries statewide. Among those injured, 15 were in Covington County.

Kansas experienced deadly conditions as well, with high winds and a dust storm leading to a massive pileup on Interstate-70. At least eight people died in the crash, which involved more than 50 vehicles, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Arkansas saw significant damage, including a confirmed EF-3 tornado with winds reaching 165 mph in Cave City on Friday night. Three people died in Independence County, while 32 others were injured across eight counties.

The severe weather threat continues through Sunday, with warnings in place from Florida to the Ohio River Valley. The Storm Prediction Center estimates that more than 60 million people remain at risk. Tornado watches are in effect for South Carolina, southeastern North Carolina, north Florida, and southeastern Georgia. Meanwhile, western Pennsylvania and southwestern New York face an "enhanced" risk of severe weather.

Since Friday, the Storm Prediction Center has recorded 56 preliminary tornado reports across seven states, including more than 20 in Mississippi and 13 in Missouri. Survey crews will assess the damage to confirm the actual number of tornadoes.

Extreme weather has also triggered widespread destruction beyond tornadoes. A powerful storm system moving across the country brought heavy snow to the Sierra Nevada and produced an EF-0 tornado in Pico Rivera, California. Winds up to 80 mph overturned vehicles in multiple states.

In Texas and Oklahoma, high winds fueled wildfires that burned more than 27,000 acres. Texas officials confirmed one fatality following a pileup in Bovina. Meanwhile, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt declared an emergency for 12 counties, reporting over 112 injuries.

Further tornado activity was documented across the country. A tornado in Daviess County, Indiana, traveled more than 13 miles, damaging farm buildings and grain bins. In Oregon, Missouri, another tornado destroyed two homes and damaged several others. Alabama also faced destruction when a tornado struck Calera, damaging homes and businesses near I-65.

Adding to the weekend’s turmoil, a 3.0 earthquake was recorded in Magee, Mississippi, on Saturday afternoon.

Mayor proclaims Friday, March 14, 2025, as “CHS Game Day Cheer Team Day”

From City of Columbia, TN - Government’s post…

Mayor Chaz Molder has proclaimed Friday, March 14, 2025, as “CHS Game Day Cheer Team Day” in Columbia!

The Columbia Central High School Cheer Team secured first place at both the Space Center and Middle Tennessee Regionals, earning a coveted spot to compete at the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida.

After an outstanding performance, they made it straight to the finals and ultimately won their first-ever National Championship title, a first for any cheer team from Columbia, Tennessee! 

The City of Columbia honors the dedication, sportsmanship, and professionalism shown by the Game Day Cheer Team and their coaches.

Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall Set to Headline 2025 Nashville Comedy Festival at the Ryman

Jay Leno will make his debut at Ryman Auditorium alongside special guest Arsenio Hall as part of the 2025 Nashville Comedy Festival. The duo will take the stage on April 12 during the festival, which runs from April 3 to 13 across multiple venues in Music City.

Their performance adds to a festival lineup featuring nearly 60 shows at locations including Bridgestone Arena, The Pinnacle, Zanies, The Lab at Zanies, and the Ryman. Leno, known for his long-running tenure on The Tonight Show, and Hall, host of The Arsenio Hall Show, will be the final additions to this year’s comedy festival.

Presale tickets are available through March 20 at 10 p.m. using the code NCF2025. General ticket sales open on March 21 at 10 a.m. More details and the full festival schedule can be found at nashvillecomedyfestival.com.

April 5: WCMGA Spring Garden Festival and Plant Sale

The WCMGA Spring Garden Festival and Plant Sale is coming up on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park – West Side. 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (Rain or Shine)

  • Beautiful perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, and more

  • Many plants grown by Master Gardeners

  • Garden Shed area featuring new and gently used items for your home and garden

  • University of TN Plant Diagnostics information

  • Vendors and Food Trucks

  • Educational Speakers

  • Crafts

Come join us for this annual fundraiser for Williamson County Master Gardener Association (WCMGA), a 501c3 organization. The mission of the WCMGA is to provide research-based horticultural education, while promoting environmental stewardship, via community volunteerism delivered by a dedicated and skilled volunteer network. The WCMGA is part of the UT/TSU Williamson County Extension Office. For more information about WCMGA and our projects, please visit our website at wcmga.net.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Sunday, March 16th

CJ Conklin, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Monday, March 17th

Alyssa Hart, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Tuesday, March 18th

Def Leprechauns, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 6 PM
Rob Harris, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Wednesday, March 19th

Austin Gray, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, March 20th

Rhonda Funk, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Murph Ridge, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, March 21st

Kenny Durham Trio, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Josh Keas, Grinder's Switch Winery, 6-8 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
L'80s Night, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, March 22nd

Band Masters, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 5:30  PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
The Road Crew, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
South Bound Crows, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Laura Drake, The  Boondox, 8-11 PM

Sunday, March 23rd

Todd Ciprian, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7  PM
Phoenix Rising, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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