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Severe storms injure 20, damage homes, buildings in McMinn County

Crews work on power lines on South White Street in Athens, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, after a tornado swept through the area early Wednesday morning.
Crews work on power lines on South White Street in Athens, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, after a tornado swept through the area early Wednesday morning. Crews work on power lines on South White Street in Athens, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, after a tornado swept through the area early Wednesday morning.

By David Cobb 3 min read


View Our Coverage of the Deadly November 2016 Storms

ATHENS, Tenn. – A sign attached to the door of the Dollar General in the Eastside Shopping Center encourages patrons to donate to help with the relief efforts for one East Tennessee disaster.

“Purchase a case of water to donate to the Gatlinburg firefighters, rescue squad, etc.,” the sign reads.

Now the people of McMinn County are dealing with a disaster of their own.

Twenty people were injured here early Wednesday morning when storms ripped through the town as part of a larger cell that caused fatalities elsewhere in the region.