Five people are being treated in a Covington, Tennessee, hospital after a tornado touched down in the city, a hospital official said.
The Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton was not damaged by the storm and its staff are still able to receive and treat patients, Kimberly Alexander, director of media relations for Baptist Memorial Health Care, said.
The tornado has rendered the city “impassable,” the Covington Police Department said on Facebook Friday night, sharing photos of roads blocked by downed power poles and large trees toppled in front of homes.
Police asked residents to stay off the roads due to hazards and so emergency crews can pass through to critical areas.
“Please stay home,” Covington Mayor Jan Hensley said in a social media post. “Do not drive around looking. Power lines are down. We are trying to get cleaned up.”