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Tragedy as young family killed after tornado smashes through town

Tributes have poured in for a family of three who were killed after devastating tornadoes ripped through their US town, destroying their home.

Friends of the family put out a missing alert for couple Erin and Josh Kimberlin, and their 2-year-old son Sawyer on Wednesday (local time) after powerful storms flattened houses and caused chaos across middle Tennessee the day before.

“Their house was destroyed in Cookeville. Someone reported seeing Erin and Sawyer leaving the house but not Josh. Currently their whereabouts are unknown,” family member Lauren Pitts posted on Facebook.

The post was updated hours later when it was confirmed Ms Kimberlin had died while the search continued for her husband and son.

Josh Kimberlin (left), 2-year-old Sawyer (centre) and Erin Kimberlin (right) lost their lives after tornadoes ripped across Tennessee. Source: GoFundMe
Josh Kimberlin (left), 2-year-old Sawyer (centre) and Erin Kimberlin (right) lost their lives after tornadoes ripped across Tennessee. Source: GoFundMe

“We are devastated. It has been confirm(ed) that Erin has passed away. Josh and Sawyer are still unaccounted for,” Ms Pitts posted.

A few hours later, a heartbroken Ms Pitts confirmed little Sawyer and his father had also died.

“Josh, Erin, and Sawyer are all in heaven together. We’re devastated with this news. They were a beautiful family,” she updated the post.

In this aerial image damage is seen in Nashville, Tennessee after a tornado
Towns were torn apart in the powerful tornados that left at least 24 people confirmed dead. Source: AAP

The couple were a popular fixture in their church community in Putnam County and were described as “an unstoppable couple” by family.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by members of their local church to raise funds for the funerals and other costs incurred by the family.

“This was the first photo of people who were unaccounted for and I had them in my mind and heart the whole time people were looking for them. I am so sorry to see that they are gone. My deepest sympathy to their families and friends,” one person wrote.

“I'm so sorry for your loss and yet those words don't seem to be enough. We'll continue to pray for the family,” a person wrote on Facebook.

“I'm so very sorry about what happened to this beautiful family,” another person commented.

To date more than $41,000 has been raised for the Kimberlins’ family.

Fox News reported at least 24 fatalities had been confirmed from the storm, 18 of those were in the same county as the Kimberlin family.

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