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Updated Mar 4, 2020 - Science

In photos: At least 25 dead after tornadoes tear through Tennessee

Jacob Knutson
A heavily damaged mural in East Nashville

A heavily damaged building in East Nashville. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Intense thunderstorms across Tennessee early Tuesday morning spawned tornadoes, including one that struck downtown Nashville. The tornadoes destroyed at least 140 buildings and killed at least 25 people in the state, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) said.

What we know: Schools, courts and transit lines in Nashville were closed Tuesday, and more than a dozen polling stations were damaged before Super Tuesday voting began in the state.

  • A judge ruled on Tuesday afternoon to extend voting hours in Tennessee's second-largest county after four Democratic presidential campaigns sued to keep polls open after the tornado, a Democratic Party spokeswoman said Tuesday.
  • "A tornado skipped across the county," Nashville Mayor John Cooper told the Tennessean. "You do have people at the hospital and frankly there have been fatalities."
  • "It is heartbreaking. We have had loss of life all across the state," said Lee, according to AP.
In photos
Emergency crews work near a damaged business in Nashville
Emergency crews work near a damaged business in Nashville. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Damaged utility poles and lines hang above a street in Nashville on March 3
Damaged utility poles and lines hang above a street. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
A resident walking down amid downed trees and heavy debris on a street.
A resident walking amid downed trees and heavy debris on a street. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Cars stopped by downed service lines
Cars stopped by downed service lines. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
A man walks by a damaged pickup truck on March 3
A man walks by a damaged pickup truck. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
A destroyed home in Cookeville, Tennessee
A destroyed home in Cookeville, Tennessee. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
The aftermath of a tornado in Cookeville, Tennessee.
The aftermath of a tornado in Cookeville, Tennessee. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Residents walk through downed utility lines and trees to survey damage
Residents walk through downed utility lines and trees to survey the damage. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the death toll rise.

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