New York - At least 22 people were killed and many others
injured after tornadoes ripped through the south-eastern US state of
Tennessee early Tuesday - the same day the state is due to vote in
the Super Tuesday Democratic primaries.
The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed the death toll,
affecting four counties across the south-eastern state, according to
the local government website.
"We have had loss of life all across the state," Tennessee Governor
Bill Lee said, adding that many people were missing and it was "a
very difficult situation."
Lee said on Twitter that the state "will continue deploying search
and rescue teams, opening shelters across the state, and sending
emergency personnel to our communities hit hardest."
The State of Tennessee has activated a strong coordinated response effort to last night’s devastating storms. In the hours ahead, we will continue deploying search and rescue teams, opening shelters across the state, and sending emergency personnel to our communities hit hardest.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) March 3, 2020
The severe weather caused extensive damage, destroying homes,
businesses and plane hangars and littering motorways with overturned
vehicles, according to WKRN.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., emerges from the booth with her ballot as she votes in Cambridge, Mass. Picture: Steven Senne/AP
The tornadoes also left tens of thousands of residents without power.
Happening Now: we are responding to reports of approx. 40 structure collapses around Nashville. Please avoid downed powerline and storm debris.
— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) March 3, 2020
Tennessee is one of 14 states to vote in the Democratic primaries on
Tuesday, and state officials were scrambling to ensure residents can
get to the polls after the storm, broadcaster NBC reported.
US President Donald Trump said he was planning to visit Tennessee on
Friday "in the wake of the horrible, very vicious tornado."
"Our hearts are full of sorrow for the lives that were lost," Trump
said during remarks at the National Association of Counties
Legislative Conference.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., endorses Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden at a campaign rally in Dallas. Picture: Richard W. Rodriguez/AP
State capital Nashville was badly hit, with the fire department
tweeting that it was responding to reports of around 40 structure
collapses.
Nashville is hurting, and our community has been devastated. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. Be sure to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need, and let's come together as a community once more. Together, we will get through this and come out stronger.
— Mayor John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) March 3, 2020
"Nashville is hurting, and our community has been devastated. My
heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones," Nashville Mayor
John Cooper said on Twitter.