As severe weather threatened areas from Texas to North Carolina, the middle region of Tennessee faced the worst of it.

Early Tuesday morning, the storm spurred a tornado that landed in downtown Nashville and caused miles of destruction. Governor Bill Lee reported earlier this morning on the heartbreaking nature of the event, with at least 20 lives lost and four different counties across the state confirming fatalities.

The tornado that struck downtown Nashville around midnight appeared to be massive by those who witnessed it, although it’s still too early to determine its exact size.

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images The above photo shows the destruction of a home in Cookeville, Tennessee after the overnight tornado on March 3rd, 2020.

What is certain, though, is the damage that was caused. According to the Nashville Fire Department, at least 48 structures collapsed and 47,000 experienced power outages.

Brett Carlsen / Stringer / Getty Images Photographed above is the Basement East in an East Nashville neighborhood with lighting in the background in downtown Nashville.

There had been a warning issued in Nashville for the tornado; however, residents had only 5-10 minutes to prepare before the twister touched down.

Brett Carlsen / Stringer / Getty Images Underwood Street in downtown Nashville is photographed above after trees and power lines fell into the road. The last time that a tornado touched down in downtown Nashville was 1998.

Our thoughts are with those who were affected by these tornadoes and the heartbreaking aftermath. We are also grateful to the first responders working tirelessly to ensure everyone’s safety.

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

The above photo shows the destruction of a home in Cookeville, Tennessee after the overnight tornado on March 3rd, 2020.

Brett Carlsen / Stringer / Getty Images

Photographed above is the Basement East in an East Nashville neighborhood with lighting in the background in downtown Nashville.

Underwood Street in downtown Nashville is photographed above after trees and power lines fell into the road. The last time that a tornado touched down in downtown Nashville was 1998.

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Address: Nashville, TN, USA