Severe weather kills at least 8

DYERSBURG, Tenn. – At least eight people in west Tennessee were killed as severe storms and possible tornadoes swept across the state, emergency officials said today.

Local emergency officials reported the eight deaths in Dyer County, and they were concerned the number of fatalities could rise, said Kurt Pickering, a spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Details on the deaths weren’t immediately available.

The Jackson Sun newspaper reported another fatality in neighboring Gibson County.

The National Weather Service reported that tornadoes were spotted in five counties in Tennessee’s northwest corner, and officials said the storms caused extensive damage to buildings.