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Deadly tornadoes kill 25 and injure many in Tennessee Deadly tornadoes kill 24 and flatten buildings in Tennessee
(about 7 hours later)
The death toll from two tornadoes that ripped through central Tennessee has risen to 25, the state's Governor William Lee said on Tuesday. Two powerful tornadoes that ripped through central Tennessee on Tuesday killed 24 people, according to the state's Emergency Management Authority.
In Nashville, Tennessee's biggest city, the tornadoes caused widespread damage to homes and other buildings.In Nashville, Tennessee's biggest city, the tornadoes caused widespread damage to homes and other buildings.
The storm hit after midnight and moved so quickly that many people sleeping didn't have time to take shelter, US media reports. The storm hit after midnight and moved so quickly that many people sleeping didn't have time to take shelter, US media report.
President Donald Trump has said he plans to visit the state on Friday. President Donald Trump confirmed he planned to visit the state on Friday.
A number of people remain unaccounted for, Governor Lee said in a press conference. The number of missing people decreased from 88 on Tuesday to 22 on Wednesday after search and rescue efforts continued overnight, Putnam county Mayor Mayor Randy Porter said.
The scene in Nashville is "like a war zone" one resident told the BBC. An earlier death toll of 25 was revised after one person's death was found to be unrelated to the storm.
Two others, David Haskell and his wife, sprinted into a storm shelter when emergency alarms went off on their phones. The scene in Nashville is "like a war zone", one resident told the BBC.
"Ten seconds later the house just exploded," Mr Haskell told a Tennessee newspaper. One couple in Cookeville told CBS that they tried to shelter in their bathtub.
Much of the damage is centred in Putnam County - 80 miles (130km) east of Nashville - where 19 deaths have been reported so far. "We were flying in the air, into the trees back there, where once we hit those trees, the house... it just exploded. The house just disintegrated," Seth Wells said.
In Wilson County, three people are reported to have died, as well as two people in Davidson County and one in Benton. "I have no clue how we survived, it was like Wizard of Oz."
Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city was "devastated", and urged people to "lend a helping hand" to neighbours. Much of the damage is centred in Putnam County - 80 miles (130km) east of Nashville - where 18 deaths, including five children, were reported.
Around 150 injured people were taken to medical facilities, Mayor Cooper said. In Wilson County, three people died, as well as two people in Davidson County and one in Benton.
"It is an ongoing search and rescue right now," the state's Emergency Community Relations Officer Maggie Hannan told the BBC. A state of emergency remains in place, and several counties are working to clear debris and fallen trees.
About 44,000 people have been left without power, Nashville Electric said. Five shelters are open, and about 40,000 people remain without power.
There was also "significant damage" to John C Tune Airport, about eight miles from the city centre, the airport said.
Police in the Mt Juliet suburb, east of Nashville, said: "There are gas lines that are leaking, power lines that are on the ground, and multiple emergency responders are responding to those who are injured."
Nashville's Emergency Operations Centre said it had opened a shelter with running water in a farmers' market to help displaced residents.Nashville's Emergency Operations Centre said it had opened a shelter with running water in a farmers' market to help displaced residents.
The city's schools, courts and transport lines will be closed on Tuesday due to the damage, officials said. Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city was "devastated" and urged people to "lend a helping hand" to neighbours.
Election polling sites located at schools will be open, but four polling stations have been moved. There was also "significant damage" to John C Tune Airport, about eight miles from the city centre, the airport said.
Tennessee is one of 14 US states holding primary contest votes on vSuper Tuesday to select a Democratic nominee to stand in November's presidential election. The National Weather Service reported that winds of 165mph hit Nashville. The storms were the deadliest to hit Tennessee since 2011, according to the Weather Channel.
Music stars Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton tweeted their support for those affected.
"My heart is with everyone in Tennessee who has been affected by the tornados. Sending you my love and prayers," wrote Taylor Swift.
The city's schools, courts and transport lines closed on Tuesday because of the damage, officials said.
Election polling sites located at schools opened for Super Tuesday, but four polling stations were moved.
Tennessee was one of 14 US states holding primary contest votes on Super Tuesday to select a Democratic nominee to stand in November's presidential election.