Tornadoes kill at least 22 in Tennessee
Journalist captures video of terrifying moment that tornado strikes, with reports 22 have died in Tennessee devastation | WATCH
At least 22 people died when tornadoes ripped through Tennessee early Tuesday morning, tearing through homes and businesses, causing widespread damage and leaving tens of thousands of residents without power.
A line of storms barrelled across Tennessee starting Monday, spawning three tornadoes in the middle part of the state early Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. One carved a path through Nashville, hitting neighbourhoods including Germantown, an affluent area with upscale apartments and restaurants, and East Nashville, a trendy section home to bars and music venues.
A WTVF reporter in Nashville and his cameraman shared frightening footage of one tornado as it struck the television station.
WATCH: Reporter describes the harrowing moment a tornado hits CBS affiliate WTVF in Nashville. "This is the inside of the tornado right now." https://t.co/0cgp7ZMhzQ pic.twitter.com/DXUrqNvPMv
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 3, 2020
“Power flash right there, the tornado is coming,” the reporter exclaimed as he and his cameraman rushed inside to safety.
“As we’re getting close to a direct hit at the TV station, if you can still hear me, that is a tornado. This is a direct hit. This is the inside of the tornado right now. It is hitting our TV station at this time, moving through our parking lot.”
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said 16 of the deaths took place in Putnam County, east of Nashville, and the remainder in the counties of Wilson, Benton and Davidson, home to Nashville.
“It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state,” Governor Bill Lee said at a morning press briefing. “We’re doing everything that we can to respond to this.”
Emergency officials responded to more than 400 calls and transported about 160 people to hospitals, said Nashville Fire Chief William Swann. At least 48 buildings were destroyed, Mr. Swann said. About 73,000 people were without power in several counties, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
Images shared on social media showed downed power lines, collapsed homes and businesses and debris strewn across the streets. Local officials warned residents to stay off the roads as emergency crews assessed the damage.
“Nashville is hurting, and our community has been devastated,” said Nashville Mayor John Cooper.
“My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. Be sure to lend a helping hand to a neighbour in need, and let’s come together as a community once more. Together, we will get through this and come out stronger.”
Metro Nashville Public Schools said schools were closed Tuesday due to damage caused by the tornadoes, and area officials said non-essential departments would be closed.
The extreme weather came as Tennessee was one of 14 states holding primaries on Super Tuesday. Voting will still take place, but some polling locations in affected counties were closed or delayed in opening, said Secretary of State Tre Hargett.
His office, as well as the Tennessee Democratic Party, were directing voters to alternate locations. Mr Lee said the state deployed generators to some polling stations without power.
“We’re going to make it possible for as many folks as we can to vote,” Mr Lee said.
President Trump offered “warm wishes” to the victims of the tornadoes and promised support to rebuild in remarks at the National Association Of Counties Legislative Conference on Tuesday. The president said he plans to visit the state on Friday.
In Putnam County, where 16 people died, emergency responders were going house to house to assess damage in the hardest hit neighbourhoods.
Sixty-five people were treated at a regional hospital for injuries, said Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter at a news briefing. He said he had just taken a helicopter flight to survey the area and that many homes were completely destroyed.
“It’s a pretty wide path of damage,” Mr Porter said.
Police in Mt Juliet, a city east of Nashville in Wilson County, said officials found two dead adults in the same home that was in the tornado’s path.
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