On Tuesday, March 3rd, multiple tornadoes ripped through Tennessee, killing at least 24 and leaving several injured. 

The tornado cut through counties in Tennessee on the morning of Tuesday, March 3rd and put the state in a state of emergency. The long track tornado swept through various counties including Putnam, Benton, Wilson, and Davidson. The tornado had wind speeds up to 165 miles per hour and was categorized as an EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The National Weather Service in Nashville reported four separate tornadoes hit the area, causing damage across more than 74 miles. 

At least 25 people were killed, several still missing, and thousands of households have been damaged. According to the Nashville Electric Service, more than 50,000 households and businesses have been left without power going into late Tuesday evening. Emergency responders and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have been working to ensure people can get out of their homes and secured to safer locations. 

Many people are worried after hearing about these events. Senior Rimike Daramola emphasized how she feels “very saddened after hearing about all of the destruction and loss of lives.” The forecast Monday afternoon on March 2nd called for strong storms, but didn’t mention the extent of the destruction. 

Days after the tornadoes hit, emergency relief organizations were still working to repair damage. Public works organizations are sending around 60 trucks to haul out more than 200 loads of household trash. Former Olympic gymnast, Shawn Johnson, even created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help victims of the tornado, and she plans to match up to $10,000 in donations. 

After hearing about these relief organizations, Senior Samantha Casolo exclaimed that she thinks “it’s cool how the community is coming together and raising money for each other.” She also explained how “it shows that even through tough times there will always be people there to support each other.” 

President Donald Trump visited Nashville on Friday, March 6th, and spoke to the press to gain awareness of the devastations. Trump expressed in a press conference that “this is real devastation like you’ll hopefully never see again” as he viewed the damage in Cookeville, Tennessee. 

After the tornadoes struck through Tennessee, families have had to adapt to losing their possessions and people have had to come together to clean up the community. Although this isn’t the most destructive tornado in Tennessee’s history, it surely has had a big impact on the citizens of Tennessee. 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-to-visit-tennessee-tornadoes 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/04/us/how-to-help-nashville-tennessee-storm-victims/index.html