Tornadoes Displace Army Families at Fort Campbell
Approximately 250 Army families at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, were displaced due to tornadoes and severe weather over the weekend.
Major Destruction and Displacement
Tornadoes that swept through on Saturday caused extensive destruction, impacting the power grid and leveling entire neighborhoods. Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes, with Clarksville, a town near the base, experiencing a 150-mph tornado.
As of Monday morning, there were no reported fatalities among Fort Campbell personnel or their families. However, one civilian associated with the base was injured. It remains unclear whether the injured individual was a civilian worker or a family member.
Approximately 1,100 soldiers and family members at Fort Campbell were left without critical services such as water, heat, and electricity. It is anticipated that repairs for these utilities could take a week or longer.
Response from the Fort Campbell Garrison
Fort Campbell, which is home to various military units, including the 101st Airborne Division and the 5th Special Forces Group, expressed gratitude and solidarity with the affected community. Col. Chris Midberry, the Fort Campbell garrison commander, emphasized the strength of the community and pledged continued support.
In light of the displacement and damage in the local area, only mission-essential personnel were required to report to work at the installation on Monday. Local officials reported that at least 271 homes and buildings in Clarksville were deemed uninhabitable, while more than 400 others sustained damage.
Loss of Life and Impact
Six people, including a child, tragically lost their lives due to the tornadoes that hit Clarksville and neighboring counties near Nashville. Emergency crews are still sifting through the debris, and the death toll may rise.
Around Fort Campbell, approximately 18,000 homes and businesses were without electricity as of Monday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. While the base itself did not suffer significant damage, efforts were underway to assess the impact of the tornado. The YMCA on base provided essential supplies to affected soldiers and their families.
The AER (Army Emergency Relief Fund) called on soldiers in need to reach out for assistance. It is currently unknown whether local National Guard units will be deployed to aid in the recovery efforts.
