A tornado struck Nashville, Tennessee in the early hours of Tuesday morning, killing at least two people and destroying around 40 buildings, police and firefighters said.
The Metro Nashville Police reported two fatalities in the East Nashville region. The Nashville fire department said it was responding to reports of approximately 40 structure collapses around Nashville.
The police department in the Mt. Juliet suburb east of Nashville reported multiple homes damaged and people injured.
"There are gas lines that are leaking, power lines that are on the ground, and multiple emergency responders are responding to those who are injured," Mt. Juliet Police department said.
John C. Tune Airport (JWN), located 8 miles from downtown Nashville, "sustained significant damage" due to severe weather and several hangars had been destroyed, the airport said on its website.
Several people took to Twitter to say they were without power in the region. Some posted videos of lightning flashing across the sky.
Tennessee is one of 14 U.S. states that will vote on Tuesday in the contest to choose a Democratic nominee to stand against President Donald Trump in November.