For the moment, nine people have been reported to have been killed by the tornado in Nashville.
Several others were injured, and at least 50,000 households and business establishments have been left without electricity when a tornado suddenly struck in Nashville and central Tennessee on the early morning of Tuesday, according to the authorities.
Governor Bill Lee said that these deaths were in four counties, namely Davidson, Putnam, Benton, and Wilson. “We have had a loss of life all across this state. Folks are missing.”
Here’s a longer clip of the #tornado as it was coming into view. You can clearly see the debris cloud and power flashes as it approaches then passes just north of downtown #Nashville pic.twitter.com/RKXthMd7IG
— Sam Shamburger (@shamnadoes) March 3, 2020
The tornado damaged several dozens of houses and buildings as they were just about to get ready to vote for the Super Tuesday primaries.
Many of the state officials are now making sure that the residents would still be able to make it to the poll stations.
Forty-five buildings also collapsed in Nashville, and several buildings were damaged. Most of them located in the downtown and east precincts.
“Emergency responders are working to ensure persons can get out and secure the areas,” the local police said.
The tornado was seen in the northwest of downtown Nashville and was aimed at the city, according to the National Weather Service Meteorologist Faith Borden.
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
A lot of residents posted photos of the tragedy. One of them said that the fire department was rushing to save the people who were trapped in her building.
It was in chaos, according to her, “Our apartments got hit the worst in our neighborhood. Cars on top of our garage were overturned.”
She added,” There were six inches of standing water in her top-floor apartment when she fled the building, leaving behind “everything,”
The main street was closed early in the morning and was covered with fallen trees and other debris. Nashville schools are closed Tuesday because of the damage it incurred.
Rep. Jim Cooper tweeted that he will be working with the mayor’s office for federal assistance requests. Mayor John Cooper also tweeted and said to extend a helping hand to the neighbors who are struck by the disaster.
The local police tweeted, “We have requested mutual aid from allied agencies. We continue to search for injured. Stay home if you can. Watch for downed power lines.”
DRONE 2: @ArmondoWKRN captured this drone video from Holly Street in East Nashville. #NashvilleTornado https://t.co/Jn2aFoT1eu pic.twitter.com/kr07OPIxH2
— WKRN News 2 (@WKRN) March 3, 2020
According to them too, 30,000 have significant damages and multiple injuries.
Tennessee is one of the 14 states that would be participating in the Super Tuesday polling; however, these locations were damaged by the tornado.
According to the report, polling sites in central Tennessee will be opened one hour later than usual and that the authorities and officials are going to make sure that these locations will be opened for the 10-hour requirement.
As per the National Weather Service at 2:50 am, the tornado warning has been lifted in middle Tennessee but was also warning about heavy rain, lightning, and mighty wind at 40-50 mph.
They also tweeted that this is not the first time that tornadoes struck on a Super Tuesday, “This is also another tornado event occurring on “Super Tuesday” in Middle Tennessee.
The one many remember is the 2008 Tornado Outbreak. That was also a nighttime tornado event (but AFTER the voting) that caused significant damage across Middle Tennessee.