https://www.kcbd.com NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Gray News/AP) – Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee overnight, shredding at least 40 buildings and killing at least 19 people, said a Tennessee Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman.
One of the twisters caused severe damage across downtown Nashville on Tuesday, leaving blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines, huge broken trees, and city streets in gridlock.
One of the damaged buildings was a concert venue that had held an event for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders ahead of Super Tuesday voting.
Some polling stations were moved and others opened an hour late as Super Tuesday voting began. Schools already closed for voting will be kept closed this week and beyond to handle repairs.
Courts, transit lines, an airport and the state Capitol are closed. A historic church lost its bell tower and stained glass window.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper says âlast night was a reminder about how fragile life is.â Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency.
Cooper and the sheriffs of Putnam and Benton counties reported the fatalities across a landscape littered with blown-down buildings, snapped power lines and huge broken trees.
Interstate 40 was diverted in two places, both eastbound and westbound.
The NWS reports the storm potentially caused a long-track tornado that began several miles west of Nashville, continued through the city and then areas to the east. The tornado reportedly stayed on the ground into Hermitage, about 10 miles east of the city.
A video posted online appeared to show a well-defined tornado in eastern Nashville.
Nashville Electric reports damage to four substations and 15 primary distribution lines. More than 44,000 customers were without power around 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Basement East, a live music venue, in East Nashville was heavily damaged, WTVF reports. Workers say they were able to get into the basement seconds before the building was hit and the roof was ripped off.
The NWS reports the storm potentially caused a long-track tornado that began several miles west of Nashville, continued through the city and then areas to the east. The tornado reportedly stayed on the ground into Hermitage, about 10 miles east of the city.
A video posted online appeared to show a well-defined tornado in eastern Nashville.
Nashville Electric reports damage to four substations and 15 primary distribution lines. More than 44,000 customers were without power around 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Basement East, a live music venue, in East Nashville was heavily damaged, WTVF reports. Workers say they were able to get into the basement seconds before the building was hit and the roof was ripped off.
A reported gas leak in the Germantown community of Nashville forced an evacuation shortly after the tornado moved through the city. Photos showed dozens of people in the street carrying belongings.
The John C. Tune Airport in West Nashville sustained significant damage to its hangars and power lines, according to its sister airport, the Nashville International Airport (BNA). BNA itself was not damaged and remains fully operational.