22 dead in Tennessee as tornadoes wreak havoc on towns including Nashville

A state of emergency has been declared in Tennessee.

ABCNews

By

Jon Haworth

and

Emily Shapiro

March 3, 2020, 5:23 PM

17 min read

00:3601:40

Copy and paste to share this video

Copy and paste to embed this video

1:39

19 dead from devastating Tennessee tornadoesThe tornado in Nashville was just one of three to hit Tennessee overnight. Benton, Wilson, Putnam and Davidson Counties all saw fatalities.

Twenty-two people have been killed after devastating tornadoes ripped through Nashville and other areas of Tennessee early Tuesday, flattening homes, tossing airplanes and downing powerlines, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

-- The tornado in Nashville was just one of three to hit Tennessee overnight. Sixteen have died in Putnam County, Tennessee, officials said. Fatalities were also reported in Wilson, Davidson and Benton Counties.

-- Winds reached at least 155 mph -- EF-3 tornado level -- in Mount Juliet and Donelson.

A woman walks past buildings damaged by a tornado, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.

A woman walks past buildings damaged by a tornado, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.Mark Humphrey/AP

A man walks past storm debris following a deadly tornado, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.

A man walks past storm debris following a deadly tornado, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.Mark Humphrey/AP

-- A state of emergency has been declared in Tennessee.

-- Two of those killed were Michael Dolfini, 36, and Albree Sexton, 33, according to Nashville police.

Metro Nashville PD

✔@MNPDNashville

The 2 persons fatally injured by debris overnight on McFerrin Avenue when the tornado went through East Nashville are identified as Michael Dolfini, 36, & his girlfriend, Albree Sexton, 33. They had just left Attaboy lounge, where Dolfini worked.

95

3:17 PM - Mar 3, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

64 people are talking about this

-- At least 48 buildings collapsed, authorities said.

Debris covers a car near after a tornado touched down in Nashville, Tenn., March 3, 2020.

Debris covers a car near after a tornado touched down in Nashville, Tenn., March 3, 2020.Shelley Mays/The Tennessean/USA TODAY via Reuters

Dept of Correction

✔@TNTDOC1

TDOC has also been affected by the overnight Tornado in middle Tennessee. These are photos of the damage from the site of the historic Tennessee State Prison.