Tennessee Tornado: At Least 24 People Dead, Over 30,000 Customers Remain Without Power

Tennessee officials say the death toll from a tornado that ripped through Nashville and surrounding areas Tuesday has reached 24 with thousands still without power.

A majority of the deaths were in Putnam County, where at least 18 people were killed. The remaining deaths were spread across Davidson, Benton, and Wilson Counties. Authorities are still searching for 22 people reported missing after the tornado.

“We have had loss of life all across this state,” Gov. Bill Lee told reporters. “There are folks missing.”

Nashville Mayor John Cooper on Wednesday said that the tragedy “was a reminder about how fragile life is” and described the tornado as a “massive act of nature.”

Tennessee remained under a state of emergency Wednesday to ensure swift recovery efforts and smoother cooperation between state and local authorities.

The state continues to deal with the aftermath. Over 50,000 homes and businesses were without power on Tuesday. Nashville Electric Service said Wednesday it had restored power to some areas, but over 30,000 customers were still without power.

Videos and pictures of the tornado and the damage left behind have been shared on social media.

Volunteers have stepped up across the counties to aid emergency crews in rescue and recovery efforts. Gov. Lee offered praise for those who helped out and referenced how Tennessee is known as “The Volunteer State.”

“We're called the Volunteer State, and there's a reason for that -- because Tennesseans have a real spirit of generosity and service to one another,” Lee said. “As governor, now I get to see it happen for real.”

President Trump said he plans to visit the state later in the week.

“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 least 19 people and injured many more,” Trump said Tuesday during the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. “We’re working with the leaders in Tennessee including their great Gov. Bill Lee to make sure that everything is done properly. FEMA is already on the ground and I’ll be going there on Friday.”