At least 24 dead after tornadoes tear through Nashville, Middle Tennessee
Mia Phillips
Updated on April 04, 2026
From the Emergency Ops Ctr: NES presently reports 47,800 customers without power, about half of those in the Hermitage area. Crews will be assessing issues & making repairs as day breaks.
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 3, 2020
WTVF reporter Chris Conte tweeted a video of the newscast announcing that the tornado was hitting the TV station.
Conte also tweeted photos saying Nashville had taken a "direct hit" and that the downtown was "devastated."
Multiple people tweeted videos and photos of the storm and its aftermath.
As the storm progressed, the term "TAKE COVER NOW" was repeatedly sent out on Twitter by the National Weather Service and other agencies.
Another tornado warning for southern Putnam, northern White, and far eastern Cumberland Counties. This is a dangerous storm. TAKE COVER NOW!
— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) March 3, 2020
Police were searching for injured people and pleading with the able-bodied to stay indoors, at least until daybreak can reveal the dangers of a landscape littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees.
Some schools already closed for Super Tuesday voting will be kept closed for another week or more to handle repairs.
The Associated Press reports John C. Tune Airport “sustained significant damage due to severe weather,” according to an airport spokeswoman. Several hangars have been destroyed and power lines were down.
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.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted out condolences and a message of hope.
"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," Cooper tweeted.
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
YouTube personality Olan Rogers posted a photo of damage to the Soda Parlor, known for its craft sodas and sundaes.
A producer for WTVF tweeted a photo she said showed that the tornado had taken a chunk off a building.
Country singer Chely Wright tweeted that most of her neighbors let her know they were OK.
Aww, my beloved Eash Nashville neighbors got walloped by a tornado. I’m lucky to have heard from most of them that they’re okay. Rattled, but they’re okay.
— Chely Wright (@chelywright) March 3, 2020
Looks like a lot of damage. #eastnashville 💔
