The state of Tennessee was hit hard by a storm system that spawned several tornadoes that ravished at least 40 buildings and took the lives of nine people, AP reports.
One of the tornadoes that hit the area tore through downtown Nashville. The storms have resulted in the closing of schools, courts, the airport and more, but also affected operations for Super Tuesday voting.
“Last night was a reminder about how fragile life is,” Nashville Mayor John Cooper said in a press conference.
The death toll is currently at nine, however more people are missing. Damage in the historic Germantown neighborhood show roofs torn off buildings, uprooted trees and more.
“It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state,” Gov. Bill Lee said.
The area destroyed by the tornadoes has been recently built up to become hot spots for living. Germantown and East Nashville have become the home to high-end apartment complexes and restaurants. A tornado that touched down near downtown traveled 10 miles across the area into the suburbs. One of the damaged buildings was a music venue, which was the location for an election rally for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Weather.com details as of 7:45 a.m. local time 20,000 homes and businesses did not have power. The storm also damaged parts of Tennessee State University’s campus.
