President Trump to Visit Tornado-Ravaged Tennessee
Trump has pledged federal assistance to help Tennessee recover from the tornadoes, according to the White House
•
NBCUniversal, Inc.
Clean-up efforts are underway in central Tennessee after tornadoes swept through the state on Tuesday, killing at least 24 people.
President Donald Trump will visit disaster areas in Tennessee on Friday, just days after storms that whipped across the state left 24 dead and many more injured.
Trump will be joined by Gov. Bill Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and other top officials during his visit.
Trump approved a disaster declaration Thursday, making federal funding available to those affected by the storms in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties, the White House said. More assistance may be designated as damage assessments continue.
The first tornado began early Tuesday morning, creating a more than 50-mile (80-kilometer) trail of destruction well after midnight. A second tornado then exploded through communities farther east of Nashville, causing in most of the deaths.
The National Weather Service said that was an EF-4 tornado, categorized as "extreme," with winds between 166 and 200 mph (267-321 kph). Local officials have said it was on the ground for about 2 miles (3 kilometers).
The White House hasn't specified exactly where Trump will visit.
Mark Humphrey/AP
A overturned truck sits in a street in an area damaged by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Mark Humphrey/AP
One of many damaged cars sits under a tree in Nashville, Tennessee, March 3, 2020, after tornadoes touched down in the Nashville metro area, shredding buildings and killing at least 19 people.
Mark Humphrey/AP
A man looks over buildings destroyed by storms, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings and killing multiple people.
Mark Humphrey/AP
A building lies in rubble after it was destroyed by storms, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee early Tuesday, shredding buildings, killing multiple people and leaving more homeless.
Mark Humphrey/AP
A woman walks past buildings damaged by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Mark Humphrey/AP
Faith Patton looks over buildings destroyed by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. Patton, who lives in an area affected by tornado damage, had her home left intact.
Mark Humphrey/AP
People walk past buildings damaged by storms Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee.
