Update…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee overnight, shredding at least 40 buildings in the Nashville area and 100 more east of the city as it killed at least 22 people. One twister damaged damaged a 10-mile stretch of Nashville early Tuesday, leaving blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines, huge broken trees, and city streets in gridlock. Another wiped out much of a subdivision in Putnam County, where the sheriff says more survivors could be trapped in the rubble of their homes. Damaged polling stations have been closed, forcing Super Tuesday voters to wait in long lines at other sites. President Donald Trump said he’d visit the area Friday.

Previously

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tornadoes have ripped across Tennessee overnight, shredding at least 40 buildings and killing at least nine people. One of the twisters caused severe damage across downtown Nashville on Tuesday, leaving blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines, huge broken trees, and city streets in gridlock. Schools, courts, transit lines, an airport and the state Capitol are closed. A historic church lost its bell tower and stained glass window. Some polling stations were moved and others opened an hour late as Super Tuesday voting began. Nashville Mayor John Cooper says “last night was a reminder about how fragile life is.”

Previously

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — At least two tornadoes touched down early Tuesday in central Tennessee, including one that ripped across downtown Nashville and caused about 40 buildings to collapse around the city.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper and the sheriffs of Putnam and Benton counties are reporting fatalities as police searching for injured people. Authorities are pleading with the able-bodied to stay indoors, at least until daybreak can reveal the dangers of a landscape littered with blown-down walls and roofs, snapped power lines and huge broken trees. Some schools already closed for Super Tuesday voting will be kept closed this week and beyond to handle repairs.

(AP Photo)