Death toll at 32 after tornadoes hit South, Midwest, East; more possible this week. Updates.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The death toll rose to 32 and more dangerous weather was forecast for a wide swath of the South and Midwest already in ruins Sunday from a surge of storms that fueled confirmed or suspected tornadoes in at least 11 states.

Nine of the 15 deaths recorded in Tennessee occurred in McNairy County, Tennessee, about 100 miles east of Memphis. Four were in the same building – one of at least 72 destroyed across the county, Mayor Larry Smith said.

In Memphis, two children and an adult died when a tree fell on a house likely because of the weather, police spokesman Christopher Williams said.

Three storm cells hit McNairy County Friday night, taking almost exactly the same path, causing damage to 35-40% of the county, officials said Saturday.

Saturday evening, local officials and members of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency spoke with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Congressman David Kustoff, who visited McNairy County to survey the damage from the storms.

Of the three storm cells, it’s unclear whether the first and third cell were tornadic, but TEMA is “pretty clear” the second cell was tornadic by the time it hit Bethel Springs and Adamsville, a TEMA official said.

Nine residents of the county died in the storms and several others were injured. Four of the fatalities were in the same structure in the Rose Creek area, said McNairy County Mayor Larry Smith. At least 72 houses were totally destroyed, he said.

“This is a tragic, tragic loss for this community, this county, the state,” Lee said to local leaders upon his arrival to Adamsville. “It comes on the heels of tragedy already. It’s been a very difficult week for our state, but it looks like your community has done what Tennesseans do, and that is rally and surround one another and respond.”

Related story:Homes destroyed, extensive damage in Tipton County after tornado touchdown reports

Lee said his visit to the area was simply to show support and that “all of Tennessee is behind you.” He also thanked first responders and TEMA for their quick action.

“What we’ve learned about how you’ve responded here is just as it should be, but it doesn’t take away the struggle and the grief and the pain that your community has,” Lee said.

Kustoff said he is currently working with U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty to coordinate the federal response to the storms.

“We’re assessing everything. West Tennessee was severely impacted by these tornadoes that passed through. We appreciate what you do and will continue to work with our federal delegation,” Kustoff said.

After speaking with local officials, Lee, Kustoff, Smith and Adamsville City Mayor David Leckner observed tornado damage along North Maple Street in Adamsville.

Lee stopped and spoke with Jeffrey Day, who stood outside his daughter’s home, looking at baby clothes strewn around what was once the front porch. The clothes had previously been stored in the attic, but Saturday the attic was almost completely gone.

Day told Lee that he was five miles away on the phone with his daughter, Justina Martin, when the storm hit. She was in the home’s walk-in closet using her body to cover one of her two sons when she felt a suction sensation, she told him.

“When I heard her on the phone, it was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to listen to,” Day said.

Day told Lee that he is grateful his family made it through the night safe, even if their home is damaged.

Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.“When I heard her on the phone, it was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to listen to,” Day said.