President Trump offered his condolences to the people affected by the deadly tornadoes in Tennessee and said he will be making a trip to Nashville this Friday to see the recovery efforts.
“I want to send my warm wishes to the great people of Tennessee in the wake of the horrible, very vicious tornado that killed at 26 people and injured many more,” Trump said Tuesday during an address to the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference.
Trump said his administration was working with state officials in Tennessee to aid the recovery.
“FEMA is already on the ground, and I will be going there on Friday,” he added. “Our hearts are full of sorrow for the lives that were lost.”
#PrayForNashville pic.twitter.com/cja0lMG6VC
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2020
26 people are dead after a series of tornadoes tore through Nashville and central Tennessee Monday, according to updated local reports.
BREAKING TEMA spokesperson: 19 people dead across four counties in Tennessee, 14 in Putnam County. https://t.co/EgKVWaqBqo
— Tennessean (@Tennessean) March 3, 2020
Tennessee Emergency Management Community Relations Officer Maggie Hannan confirmed that of the 26 deceased individuals, 14 were from Putnam County, two were from Wilson County, two from Davidson County and one from Benton County.
“There’s a really good possibility that there may be more [fatalities or injuries],” Gov. Bill Lee (R-Tenn.) told reporters in a press conference.
Aside from the fatalities, a reported 40 structures and buildings collapsed around the city and residents are also dealing with blown out windows and fallen power lines. First responders have been looking for injured and missing persons and responding to a bevy of emergency calls. They’re also making door-to-door community checks.
.@NashvilleFD Chief Swann at news conference:
First responders are making door-to-door community checks. Aerial mapping and assessment in progress. At least 48 building collapses. Efforts will be ongoing in coordination with PD and others.
— Metro Nashville (@MetroNashville) March 3, 2020
Schools are also closed within the Metro Nashville area, and schools east in Wilson County will be out for the remainder of the week.
On Twitter, Lee said that the state of Tennessee has “activated a strong coordinated response effort to last night’s devastating storms. In the hours ahead, we will continue deploying search and rescue teams, opening shelters across the state, and sending emergency personnel to our communities hit hardest.”
Updated on April 27 at 3:09 p.m.
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