Tennessee Declares State of Emergency After Tornado Hits Near Nashville

Debris is scattered across the parking lot of a damaged apartment building after a tornado hit Nashville in the early morning hours of March 3, 2020. (Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean via AP)

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has activated a state of emergency after a tornado slammed parts of the state, causing at least 19 deaths

Gov. Bill Lee, in a Tuesday press conference, said that “we will expand that response as the day unfolds,” adding that a state of emergency was activated. Lee said that he will tour the damaged areas in a helicopter later in the day.

The state declared a level three state of emergency, which has been defined as a “serious emergency or minor disaster has occurred or a situation is deteriorating rapidly and public warnings are being issued,” Fox17 Nashville noted.

“Don’t go near where the damage is. You don’t need to go there,” Lee said in the news conference.

A Tennessee emergency management agency spokeswoman confirmed to The Associated Press that tornado death toll is now 19.

Officials told ABC News that at least nine people had died after a tornado ripped through parts of Nashville and near Nashville, the largest city in the state, early on Tuesday. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said four died in Putnam County, two died in Nashville, two died in Wilson County, and one died in Benton County.

A number of businesses and homes in the area have been destroyed, officials said.

The Geist restaurant brick wall collapsed in a tornado that touched down in downtown Nashville on March 3, 2020. (Alex Carlson via AP)

The tornado hit the CBS Nashville affiliate station directly, according to the broadcaster.

“Our community has been greatly impacted by a tornado,” Capt. Tyler Chandler of the Mt. Juliet Police Department told ABC on Tuesday. “There are multiple homes damaged and multiple people injured. Our officers are in the early stages of this response and we continue to assess what is happening ... there are multiple homes damaged, multiple people injured, multiple people still trapped. We need your help.”

Officials also noted there are gas leaks, downed power lines, and missing people.

“Multiple emergency responders are responding to those who are injured and trying to get them the help that they need,“ Chandler added. ”We appreciate your concern, your prayers. Continue to pray for our first responders and those that are injured and we will continue to keep you updated.”

National Weather Service officials said the tornado appeared to have stayed on the ground for about 10 miles and ended in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Tornado-hit areas include Centennial Boulevard and Briley Parkway in West Nashville, reported WKRN, which added that part of the Five Points neighborhood in East Nashville is half-destroyed.