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Deadly Storms Sweep Through Middle Tennessee, Flooding and Tornadoes Disrupt Region

Issue #398

April 04, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy, possible rain w/ high of 83 & low of 69

📰 Deadly Storms Sweep Through Middle Tennessee, Flooding and Tornadoes Disrupt Region

📰 Governor Bill Lee Visits Selmer, TN Following Devastating Storm

📌 Saturday: Support Young Entrepreneurs at The Acton Children's Business Fair

🎵 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!

Friday, April 4th

Saturday, April 5th

Sunday, April 6th

Monday, April 7th

Tuesday, April 8th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

April 1-6: Check Out Our List of Mule Days Garage Sales!
April 11: Cruisin’ the Co-op
April 19: Columbia Cars & Coffee 

Deadly Storms Sweep Through Middle Tennessee, Flooding and Tornadoes Disrupt Region

Middle Tennessee residents were jolted awake Thursday by waves of severe weather, including multiple tornado warnings, heavy lightning, thunder, and torrential rain. The storms resulted in at least four confirmed deaths across the state, according to officials.

As the initial tornado threat moved on, widespread flooding became the most pressing concern. High water stalled vehicles on Interstate 65 and contributed to at least one crash on Interstate 40. Authorities are now focusing efforts on managing the impacts of flash flooding and other storm-related hazards.

This system is part of a broader stretch of severe weather expected to continue through the coming days. While West Tennessee is predicted to face the most severe impacts, Middle Tennessee is also bracing for intense rainfall, damaging winds, hail, and the continued risk of tornadoes. Forecasts estimate Nashville could receive 5 to 6 inches of rain by the weekend, while Clarksville may see as much as 8 to 10 inches.

In Maury County, tornado warnings prompted the evacuation of Maury County Park during Mule Day festivities for a second time. The National Weather Service later canceled the tornado warning for the area. Mule Day events began Thursday as scheduled despite the weather, with organizers closely monitoring conditions moving forward.

According to event organizers, park campers were relocated to Columbia Central High School in accordance with Mule Day emergency protocols. Approximately 1,000 campers have reserved spaces for the weekend-long festival, which is set to continue through April 6. Organizers planned to assess weather conditions overnight to determine Friday’s schedule, noting that much of Thursday saw surprisingly pleasant weather with only a few brief showers.

Governor Bill Lee Visits Selmer, TN Following Devastating Storm

Governor Bill Lee visited Selmer, Tennessee, where he toured the emergency shelter set up at the town’s Civic Center following severe storm damage that left the community reeling. Rows of cots lined the facility as volunteers and emergency teams worked to provide support for displaced residents.

"This community has been hard hit and devastated," said Governor Lee. "There was a tornado here just a couple years ago. Once again, they're facing what is just heartbreaking circumstances."

Lee emphasized the power of unity during crises, commending the coordinated efforts of local agencies, volunteers, nonprofits, and faith-based groups working together to support recovery.

"What's really encouraging is seeing what's going on behind us," he said. "Volunteers, non-profits, churches and people in this community coming together. In the worst of times, this is when the best of Tennessee shows up. It's happening here in McNairy County."

The governor noted that President Donald Trump had not contacted him directly, but confirmed that a federal emergency declaration had been issued at his request to assist with recovery efforts.

Patrick Sheehan, director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, added that six neighboring states—Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida—are prepared to send swiftwater rescue teams if needed, thanks to a mutual aid agreement in place among the states.

Saturday: Support Young Entrepreneurs at The Acton Children's Business Fair 

Young entrepreneurs will have the chance to bring their business ideas to life at the 3rd annual Acton TriStar Children’s Business Fair. This one-day event, set for Saturday, April 5th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 762 Beechcroft Rd. in Spring Hill, will showcase up to 40 youth-run businesses.

The fair provides children (age 5-17) with a hands-on opportunity to develop a brand, create a product or service, design a marketing strategy, and engage with real customers. Sponsored by Acton Academy, Acton TriStar Academy, the Acton School of Business, and generous donors and volunteers, the event encourages kids to step into the world of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Acton Children’s Business Fair is the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, designed to inspire creativity, leadership, and business skills. From pricing strategies to marketing and sales, participants gain real-world experience by launching and managing their own businesses.

The Acton Children’s Business Fair began in Austin, Texas, in 2007, founded by Jeff and Laura Sandefer to encourage entrepreneurship in young minds. The first Acton Academy began with a Children's Business Fair. The event, which started with just seven businesses, has now grown to over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees in Austin alone. Now, over 300 Acton campuses worldwide host a CBF each year. 

The Spring Hill event aims to continue this tradition, offering children a unique, real-world business experience that fosters confidence, responsibility, and innovation. Whether a child is dreaming of becoming the next Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey, or simply eager to explore their entrepreneurial spirit, this fair provides the perfect platform to start.

One Acton Business Fair success story is Mikaila Ulmer, who started a lemonade business at one of the fairs in West Austin, TX when she was 8 years old. Two years later, she had her bottles in Whole Foods and was featured on CBS national news!

The fair on Saturday includes 23 different booths, from woodworking, to snacks, to crochet. Come out and show your support for these young entrepreneurs!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, April 4th

Gospel Mule, Maury County Park - Main Stage, 12 PM
Justin Wright, Maury County Park - Main Stage 3 PM
Kirbi, Maury County Park - Main Stage, 4 PM
Jason Passmore, Maury County Park  - Main Stage, 5 PM
Tony Malugin, Ridley 4-H Center, 6 PM
Rob Harris, Tito’s, Spring Hill, 6-8 PM
Box of Rox, Grinder's Switch, 7-9 PM
Scott Southworth & The Honky Tonk Anonymous Band, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Kings of Queen, The Mulehouse, 8 PM

Saturday, April 5th

Jason Passmore, Maury County Park - Main Stage, 11 AM
The Sun Bodies, Maury County Park - Main, Stage, 12 PM
MFT, Los Swamp Monsters & Chris Turner, Rebel Bar &  Grill, 12 PM
Nick Bentley, Grinder's Switch, 12 PM
Crossbridges, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
Clayton Q, Maury County Park - Main Stage, 4 PM
Ryan Keeler, Buck and Board, 5-8 PM
Alyssa Turner, BAD Bakery, 5-7 PM
Savannah Kirby, Maury County Park - Main Stage, 5:30 PM
Cord Martin, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Karly & James, Puckett's 7:30-9 PM

Sunday, April 6th

Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

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