Tennessee tornadoes: Several missing after twisters strike, killing 25

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By Cox Media Group National Content Desk

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Multiple people are dead after two tornadoes struck Tennessee early Tuesday, authorities said.

Here are the latest updates:

Update 3:40 p.m. EST March 4: Officials in Putnam County have identified 17 of the 18 people killed when a tornado swept across West and Middle Tennessee on Tuesday, WZTV reported.

Seventeen people remained missing Wednesday, WTVF reported. The news site identified the missing as:

  • David Phillips
  • Robin & Bethany Babb
  • Steven Mayo
  • Joyce Wilson
  • Crystal Rodgers
  • Danelle Delawter
  • Kevin & Tammy Fouegge
  • Kayla Cowen
  • Richard Seno
  • Lisa “Cat” Green
  • Glen & Anthony Phillips
  • Donald & Patty Zorichak
  • Michael Roberts

Update 1:35 p.m. EST March 4: Putnam County officials said the number of people who remained missing Wednesday afternoon, one day after deadly early morning tornadoes struck parts of Tennessee, had fallen from 24 to 18, according to WVLT.

Officials stressed that those still missing were not presumed dead or injured but instead are being searched for based on calls to a helpline set up to help victims’ families, WVLT reported.

Update 11:40 a.m. EST March 4: Authorities in Nashville are holding a news conference with updates on the city’s recovery efforts after a deadly tornado swept through the city Tuesday morning.

Officials said two people were killed in Nashville after they were hit by debris during Tuesday’s storm.

Update 8:55 a.m. EST March 4: The number of people missing in Putnam County after Tuesday morning’s deadly tornadoes swept through West and Middle Tennessee has decreased to 24, WBIR-TV reported.

Update 6:11 a.m. EST March 4: About 35 people are still missing in Putnam County after deadly storms swept through the region, WKRN is reporting. See their names in the tweet below:

Update 5:40 p.m. EST March 3: Death toll in Tennessee climbed to 25, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said in an afternoon press conference.

Update 3:40 p.m. EST March 3: Nashville police identified two people killed Tuesday morning when they were struck by debris as tornadoes blew through parts of Tennessee as Michael Dolfini, 36, and his 33-year-old girlfriend, Albree Sexton.

The couple was injured by debris after leaving Attaboy, a cocktail bar where Dolfini worked.

Update 3:10 p.m. EST March 3: Nashville Mayor John Cooper signed an executive order Tuesday declaring a State of Emergency in the Nashville metropolitan and Davidson County areas after a deadly tornado tore through the area in the early morning hours.

“We will rebuild,” Cooper said. “We will be stronger.”

Update 12:40 p.m. EST March 3: Officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed the death toll associated with Tuesday’s early morning tornadoes in Tennessee has risen to 22.

According to the Tennessee Department of Heath, 16 people were killed in Putnam County, three in Wilson County, two in Davidson County and one in Benton County.

Severe storms crossing the state left heavy damage throughout West and Middle Tennessee, officials said.

Update 12:25 p.m. EST March 3: President Donald Trump, celebrities and politicians shared well-wishes for Tennessee after early-morning tornadoes devastated parts of the state Tuesday.

Update 11:55 a.m. EST March 3: Officials with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office told WKRN that 16 people were killed in the county when a tornado tore through Middle Tennessee, destroying buildings and leaving a line of debris.

Earlier Tuesday, officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said 14 people were killed in Putnam County as a result of the early morning storms. The new number brings the total number of reported deaths associated with the tornado to 21.

Update 11:30 a.m. EST March 3: Officials with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department shared images of the destruction wrought by a tornado that touched down early Tuesday in Davidson County.

Police Chief Steve Anderson said two people, an adult man and an adult woman, died in Nashville after they were struck by debris.

Emergency management officials said 19 people were killed in Tuesday morning’s storms.

Update 10:45 a.m. EST March 3: Officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency told reporters Tuesday that the death toll related to early morning tornadoes in the state had risen to 19.

The Tennessean reported Tennessee Emergency Management Community Relations Officer Maggie Hannan confirmed the deaths in four counties: 14 in Putnam County, two in Wilson County, two in Davidson County and one in Benton County.

“There’s a really good possibility that there may be more,” Gov. Bill Lee said earlier Tuesday at a news conference, according to the Tennessean. “It’s early yet.”

Update 10:05 a.m. EST March 3: Nashville Mayor John Cooper shared resources Tuesday for people who want to help those affected by Tuesday morning’s deadly tornadoes in Tennessee.

Officials said nine people died Tuesday morning after tornadoes swept through Putnam, Benton, Wilson and Davidson counties. Authorities said they were surveying the damage Tuesday.

Update 9:35 a.m. EST March 3: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has confirmed that nine people died in early morning tornadoes in the state on Tuesday, according to CNN.

Officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency earlier reported at least eight deaths: 4 in Putnam County, 1 in Benton County, 2 in Wilson County and 1 in Davidson County. ABC News reported one additional death in Davidson County.

Nashville resident and singer Taylor Hicks told HLN homes near his neighborhood, Germantown, were damaged by Tuesday morning’s tornadoes.

“There’s homes leveled. There’s churches that have been hit by this," Hicks said. “There’s been a lot of people that’s been affected in downtown Nashville. It’s been a rough night.”

Update 8:09 a.m. EST March 3: The death toll from the Tennessee tornadoes has increased to nine, authorities said Tuesday morning.

According to ABC News, four deaths were reported in Putnam County, as well as two each in Nashville and Wilson County, and one in Benton County.

Update 7:27 a.m. EST March 3: The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said Tuesday morning that at least seven people have died in Nashville, Putnam County and Benton County, The Associated Press is reporting.

Previous report: At least five people have died in Nashville and Putnam County, Tennessee, after tornadoes struck early Tuesday, authorities said.

Tennessee tornadoes Debris is scattered across the parking lot of a damaged apartment building after a tornado hit Nashville in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean via AP)

Tennessee tornadoes Damaged vehicles and buildings are seen in East Nashville after a tornado hit the city in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean via AP) (Courtney Predoza/AP)

Tennessee tornadoes Debris scattered across an intersection Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in downtown Nashville, Tenn. The National Weather Service in Nashville confirmed a tornado touched down in the area. (Celia Darrough via AP) (Celia Darrough/AP)

Tennessee tornadoes Debris scattered across an intersection Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in downtown Nashville, Tenn. The National Weather Service in Nashville confirmed a tornado touched down in the area. (Celia Darrough via AP) (Celia Darrough/AP)

Tennessee tornadoes People stand outside the Basement East music venue in East Nashville after it was destroyed by a tornado on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean via AP) (Courtney Pedroza/AP)

Tennessee tornadoes The Geist restaurant brick wall collapsed in a tornado that touched down in downtown Nashville, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Alex Carlson via AP)

Tennessee tornadoes A damaged horse trailer lies toppled over at the Hidden Acres Farm after a tornado touched down in the area around Nashville, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Tara Shaver via AP)

Tennessee tornadoes A damaged fence lies with debris at the Hidden Acres Farm after a tornado touched down in the area around Nashville, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Tara Shaver via AP)

Tennessee tornadoes A lot is littered with debris brought on by a tornado that touched down in downtown Nashville, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Alex Carlson via AP)

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, two deaths occurred in East Nashville after two twisters touched down in the area. Another three deaths occurred in Putnam County, WTVF reported.

One of the tornadoes struck near downtown Nashville and traveled to Hermitage, The Associated Press reported.

Police said at least 40 collapses have been reported in the Nashville area, according to the AP.

As of 4 a.m. CST, power had been knocked out to at least 44,000 customers, Nashville Electric tweeted.

Metro Nashville Public Schools will be closed Tuesday; however, Super Tuesday polling stations at schools “will be open unless otherwise noted,” officials said.

Read more here.

Tennessee tornadoes Debris scattered across an intersection Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in downtown Nashville, Tenn. The National Weather Service in Nashville confirmed a tornado touched down in the area. (Celia Darrough via AP) (Celia Darrough/AP)