Belmont student killed in Williamson County during Wednesday storms

A previous version of a statement from Belmont University included the incorrect reference for a cited Bible verse. This story has been updated to correct the error.

A 22-year-old woman is dead in Williamson County after severe storms blew through Middle Tennessee early Wednesday evening. The storms triggered tornado warnings, ripped down trees and power lines and damaged structures.

Laurel Flaherty, originally from Massachusetts, was killed when a tree fell on her car along Old Natchez Trace on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Flaherty graduated with a Bachelor's degree in social work from Belmont University in May and was in her first year at the university's law school. Belmont president Greg Jones released a statement Thursday about her death.

"We are all devastated by today’s news, and we have reached out to her family, faculty and classmates to offer our support and deepest condolences," Jones said. "I am again reminded of Psalm 34:18: ‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’ Our prayers today are with Laurel’s family and all who knew and loved her.”

Belmont will also extend support services and resources to the campus community, Jones said.

NWS: 75 mph straight-line winds swept through Williamson County

Tornado warnings and rolling severe thunderstorm warnings rippled across Nashville and Middle Tennessee during rush hour early Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service in Nashville later confirmed that 75 mph straight-line winds tore through Williamson County.

FROM WEDNESDAYSevere storms trigger tornado warnings across Middle Tennessee

A metal awning over the Jingo Market in Fairview was destroyed, and reports of downed trees and power outages were widespread in the surrounding areas.

The storms knocked out power to over 6,000 customers across Middle Tennessee at one point. The Williamson County Emergency Management Agency received a dozen reports of downed lines, three reports of transformer fires and 29 roadway hazard reports, spokesperson Jill Burgin said.

Watch: Video captures moment storms swept through Bon Aqua

Scott Unger, a meteorologist with NWS Nashville, said that the areas around Fairview and Bon Aqua, in Williamson County, were among the hardest hit in the storms. Williamson County was one of several that went under a tornado warning Wednesday evening.

A resident submitted a video to The Tennessean that captured the severe winds tearing through her front yard in Bon Aqua, near the Williamson County line and Fairview.

Manchester, in Coffee County, also sustained damage Wednesday.

Coffee County Emergency Management Deputy Director Matt Aussiker said the damage was from straight-line winds. Two gas stations lost awnings, a roof at a co-op building partially folded over and shingles were ripped off an academy. Multiple trees were also down, Aussiker said.

NWS Nashville encourages residents to share photos and reports or damage by using the #tspotter hashtag on social media.

Reporter Craig Shoup contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 1 dead in Williamson County after severe storms, tornado warnings