MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. — Governor Bill Lee visited areas of west Tennessee hit hard by Friday's outbreak of tornadoes and severe storms.
“Maria and I are deeply saddened by the loss of life, significant injuries and severe storm damage across Tennessee,” he said in a statement. This afternoon, I will travel to West Tennessee to survey damage and pray alongside Tennesseans as we continue to endure this heartbreaking week for our state. I thank state and local emergency officials, law enforcement, first responders and road crews for quickly responding to assist impacted communities and prevent further tragedy, and Tennessee stands ready to support local recovery efforts.”
Lee, who was joined by state leaders, drove first to McNairy County, where seven people were confirmed dead after the storms. Patrick Sheehan, the director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), explained to reporters the state is the "nighttime tornado capital of the US".
The governor was briefed by McNairy County leaders when he made his first stop in Adamsville. Afterward, he shared his initial remarks with news outlets gathered with him.
“It’s terrible what has happened in this community, this county, this state," he said in remarks directed to residents and county leaders. "But it looks like your community has done what Tennessean communities do: and that is rally and respond.”
Lee's staff has indicated he will visit areas that have experienced a loss of life. ABC24 is working to confirm if he has plans to travel to Covington, where one person's death was reported.