Three individuals perished in the aftermath of severe storms that swept through the Southern United States on Thursday, including tornadoes that struck just outside Nashville.
The storm wreaked havoc during Atlanta's rush hour before heading north toward North Carolina, causing flight delays in Atlanta and Charlotte. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center warned of an "enhanced risk" for severe weather from Texas to South Carolina.
Wednesday night's storms left over 100,000 homes and businesses without power by Thursday afternoon. One tornado, spawned by the storms, left a trail of destruction outside Nashville, damaging over 100 homes with winds reaching 140 mph.
Tornado watches were issued by the National Weather Service for Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee until 3 a.m. Central on Thursday.
"I got up and looked outside, and it was chaos," said Bob Booth, a resident of one affected area. "Then the top half of one of my trees fell across the road."
Governor Bill Lee (R-TN) expressed sadness at the loss of at least two lives and injuries to four others in his state. "It's heartbreaking to witness another family in crisis," he said, "but it's hopeful to see their interactions with neighbors and their resolve to persevere."
Nashville's tornadoes moved southeast, evolving into the storms that affected Atlanta and North Carolina on Thursday.
Since Monday, severe weather warnings have been issued for 39 states. In April alone, the U.S. experienced 300 confirmed tornadoes, the second-highest number in a single month since 2011, affecting an estimated 220 million people nationwide.