24 Dead, Including Two in Nashville, After Overnight Tornadoes

At least two people are dead in Nashville after a devastating tornado ripped through Nashville early Tuesday morning, leaving hundreds displaced from their homes and dozens of buildings damaged or destroyed. 

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 24 deaths in total across Tennessee — most of which occurred in Putnam County — after multiple tornadoes touched down in the region. The Nashville victims have been identified as Albree Sexton, 33, and her partner Michael Dolfini, 36, who were leaving Attaboy lounge during the storms.

An emergency shelter had been established at the Nashville Farmers' Market, but was cleared out after the building lost power. People taking shelter there are being moved to the Centennial Sportsplex. Metro Nashville Public Schools will be closed today, along with all nonessential Metro offices. 

"Nashville is hurting, and our community has been devastated," Mayor John Cooper said in a statement this morning. "My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. Be sure to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need, and let's come together as a community once more. Together, we will get through this and come out stronger. I am currently working with those at the Emergency Operations Center and receiving regular updates and damage assessment reports. I am also working closely with federal contacts on all recovery assistance options. A more comprehensive media update is coming up this morning."

During an 8 a.m. briefing, Cooper announced that shelters are up and running at East High School and Centennial Sportsplex.

The mayor has urged those who want to assist to sign up at Hands On Nashville's volunteer registration page. Monetary donations can be made through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which set up a Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund. See more information about how to help and where to get help. As of 7 p.m., Mayor Cooper says that $351,768 has been donated to the the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and more than 5,000 volunteers have registered with Hands on Nashville.

Five Points in East Nashville was particularly hard-hit. The Basement East was virtually destroyed as was nearby restaurant BoomBozz. Burger Up, Molly Green, a shuttered Family Dollar at Woodland and Shelby, and numerous other homes and businesses were leveled or significantly damaged.

The storm also destroyed several hangars at John Tune Airport on Cockrill Bend as it pushed into Nashville from the west. The tornado continued on an eastbound path into North Nashville, ripping up trees and power lines near the north side of Tennessee State University's campus. Along Jefferson Street, many buildings took significant hits, with utility poles and branches downed in the road. Metro Police closed Jefferson's intersection with Rosa Parks, as the storm also hit Germantown, destroying Geist, the restaurant located in one of Nashville's oldest commercial buildings, which served as a family-owned farrier and blacksmith for 120 years.

With Super Tuesday primary voting set to take place today, Davidson County polling locations will be opening an hour later than planned, per Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. 

"Due to street closures, power outages as well as public safety concerns Davidson and Wilson Counties are going to open at 8 a.m." he said. "They will close at 7 p.m."

The Davidson County Election Commission is opening alternate voting locations. Voters from any precinct which is closed may vote at the Metro Southeast Facility at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike or on the fourth floor of the Metro office building at 800 Second Avenue South.

More specifically, voters who cast ballots at Hermitage Presbyterian, DuPont Tyler, Hermitage Hills Baptist, Hermitage Community Center, the Tennessee School for the Blind, Two Rivers Middle or Donelson Heights can vote at Donelson Presbyterian.

Voters who normally vote at Union Hall 737, Hadley Park Community Center, Churchwell Elementary, Centennial Park Arts Center or 15th Avenue Baptist may vote at Pearl-Cohn.

In East Nashville, voters at Ross Elementary, East Park Community Center, Shelby Park Community Center, the Martha O'Bryan Center and Cora Howe School will vote at Cleveland Park Community Center.

Haynes Middle School will vote at Whites Creek Fire Station No. 25. Looby Community Center voters can cast ballots at Northwest YMCA and LEAD Brick Church Middle School voters at Bellshire Elementary.

Public transportation is also affected. The following bus routes will not operate:

• 9 (MetroCenter)
• 22 (Bordeaux)
• 29 (Jefferson St.)
• 42 (St. Cecilia/Cumberland)

The Music City Star is also not running.

The following routes will run on detours:

• 4 (Shelby)
• 6 (Lebanon Pike - will only run between downtown and Donelson Station)
• 14 (Whites Creek)
• 23 (Dickerson Pike)
• 56 (Gallatin Pike)

Nearly 50,000 people in the Nashville Electric Service's catchment were without power as of 10 a.m.

Our photographers and reporters have been out surveying the damage. View more photos here, here and here.

This post will update throughout the day.