In the early morning hours of March 3, 2020, several powerful storms and at least one tornado ripped through the Nashville, Tennessee area. As of this writing, there have been at least 24 fatalities, dozens of buildings destroyed, and thousands of people in the affected area are without power. Several schools and roads in the Nashville area will remain closed while the community recovers and begins to repair the damage.
What We Know
- According to the National Weather Service office in Nashville, the tornado was rated EF-4, with wind speeds up to 175 MPH.
- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has declared a state of emergency in the aftermath of the tornado.
- The extent of the damage following the storms and tornado spans across at least four Middle Tennessee counties.
Staying Updated
- Keep an eye on inclement weather in the wake of the storms.
- Get information on the storm response from the Nashville Office of Emergency Management and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
- Stay up to date by following Nashville’s Emergency Operation Center on Twitter.
How You Can Help
The state of Tennessee is known as “The Volunteer State“, and already Tennessee residents are living up to their name by helping to clear debris and giving what they can to their neighbors. If you would like to pitch in as well, here are some ideas.
- Give blood, if you are able to do so. No matter where you are in the country, your blood donation can help with the medical needs of those affected by the tornado.
- If you live in the area and have access to social media, mark yourself safe so friends and family don’t worry.
- Organize a collection of supplies for residents affected by the tornado. Be sure you can get the supplies to their intended destination before you begin your collection. You can also connect with local food banks in affected areas and send money directly to them.
- Following natural disasters, money is often more helpful than supplies, since it’s easier to get into the hands of people who need it. You can donate here to help organizations on the ground in Middle Tennessee.
