Nashville Tornado Death Toll Rises To 22, Nearly 140 Buildings Destroyed

A man walks by The Basement East, a live music venue destroyed by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

*7:34PM CT update: death toll reportedly at least 25*

A pair of tornadoes touched down in Tennessee early Tuesday, reportedly killing at least 22 people. Roughly 140 buildings in and around downtown Nashville have since collapsed.

During a Tuesday morning news conference, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said:

“Last night was a reminder about how fragile life is.”

Cooper is right but we don’t always realize that until something tragedy strikes. This is, unfortunately, a painful reminder.

Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter added:

“It hit so fast, a lot of folks didn’t have time to take shelter. Many of these folks were sleeping.”

Less than two weeks ago, I was exploring this exact portion of East Nashville. It was late on a week night following stormy weather which makes the news hit a bit different today.

The AP also reports that one of the twisters caused severe damage across downtown Nashville, destroying the stained glass in a historic church and leaving hundreds of people homeless.

Authorities were asking residents to stay indoors due to hazards like snapped power lines and broken trees.

Courts, schools and transit lines were closed for the day, while four Super Tuesday polling stations were relocated just hours before voting was set to begin.

Many country artists have taken to social media to weigh in:

The tornado must have missed our block by an inch because we are alright but I am so depleted looking at the damage that has happened to our beautiful city. There are so many people in the streets helping already, though. Thinking of those who lost their loved ones + homes. pic.twitter.com/pv2VPCafhc

— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) March 3, 2020

I had lunch here on Friday 💔 pic.twitter.com/PhwCjHqCiz

— Rich O’Toole (@RichOToole) March 3, 2020

We ducked around this cell and landed at john tune airport around 11:30 last night. Glad we landed when we did. Wouldn’t have been good an hour later. It was the cell that turned into the tornado. Lot of people lost their homes. No one comes together as a city like Nashville does pic.twitter.com/qvCjrYNu0x

— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) March 3, 2020

Sending my love to Nashville! I am praying for all of those affected by the terrible storm. https://t.co/5WhBLm6Ode

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) March 3, 2020

My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the Nashville area affected by the tornado last night. Even if the tornado didn’t hit our personal space, we are all affected because we are Nashvillians. My heart… https://t.co/S6dpfGfgg1

— Reba (@reba) March 3, 2020

Sending love to all of our friends & family in Nashville and Middle Tennessee who were affected by the devastating tornadoes last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses. #NashvilleStrong #PrayersforNashville pic.twitter.com/UaExP1YCM6

— George Strait (@GeorgeStrait) March 3, 2020

east nashville 💔

— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) March 3, 2020

My heart is with Nashille and those who lost their lives, loved ones, livelihoods and homes. I do not doubt the community hurts as one but will also rebuild and overcome as one.

-Coryelle

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