Strong Winds & Rain Cross County

Forecasters said repeatedly that we were in store for a round of what could possibly be violent weather.

TV stations went to straight weather around nightfall and as the system moved into west Tennessee, meteorologists said it was headed directly to our area.

As the front came rolling into Macon County, there was a tornado warning issued at 9:26 p.m. for Macon County until 10:00 p.m, which was then extended to 10:30. The tornado sirens were activated twice in Lafayette and several times in Red Boiling Springs.

According to the scanner, authorities stated that a TDOT worker spotted a tornado in the air around the Westmoreland area.

The winds, which were in excess of 55 mph, toppled trees across the county.

“There were several trees that were down last night and were called around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night,” said Audie Cook of the Highway Department. “The roads we had to clear were Clifty, Lambert, Green Valley, Sparrow Lane, Akersville, Knight, Dark Hollow, Old Bottom, Bethany Road, Jim Town, Hanestown Road.”

“We worked until 3:30 a.m. on Sunday morning,” he added, “but we were called back out at 7:30 to clear other roads and worked until 10:30 a.m.”

There was also a mobile home fire Saturday night, at the residence of James Likens on Shiloh Lane. The Lafayette Fire Department responded around 10:45 and they contained the blaze to a bedroom and its’ contents.

“Mr. Likens said he was getting ready to go to bed when he found the fire,” said Fireman Phillip Smith.”

The department utilized a engine and tanker. There were 10 fireman at the site of the fire. Captain Don Steves was in charge of the scene.

Responders were: Lafayette Fire Department, Macon County EMS and the Macon County Chronicle.