Tornado touches down in Tennessee

Fewer than dozen homes suffer minor, moderate damage

By By CNN Staff
POSTED: 1:15 PM PDT March 18, 2013    UPDATED: 1:45 PM PDT March 18, 2013 
Tornado file
(CNN) -

A tornado touched down Monday afternoon in Rutherford County, Tennessee, authorities there confirm.

The tornado was on the ground for about 4 1/2 miles, said Joe Gourley of the Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency.

Fewer than a dozen homes suffered minor to moderate damage, trees were toppled and roads were blocked, Gourley said.

Minor damage was reported across much of the state after a line of severe thunderstorms swept through.

The National Weather Service dispatched a team to survey possible tornado damage in Dickson County near Vanleer, where a homeowner said his barn was destroyed and several large trees were uprooted.

There were also reports of at least one mobile home destroyed and others damaged in the area. No injuries were reported.

Students were evacuated at Fairview Middle School in Franklin after lightning struck the school, causing a fire on the roof. All students were safe, school officials said on Twitter.

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