Tornado outbreak of March 2–3, 2020 facts for kids

On the night of March 2, 2020, and into the morning of March 3, a series of strong tornadoes hit middle Tennessee. One tornado even struck downtown Nashville. Another tornado was confirmed in Western Tennessee, between Bradford and Skullbone. Sadly, 25 people lost their lives, and at least 150 were injured. More than 70,000 homes and businesses lost electricity during the storm.

The path of the Nashville tornado was very much like a similar one that hit East Nashville in 1998. Tornadoes were also reported in southeastern Missouri and western Kentucky.

What Happened in Tennessee

On March 2 and 3, 2020, powerful tornadoes swept through parts of Tennessee. These storms caused a lot of damage. Tornadoes are rotating columns of air that stretch from a thunderstorm to the ground. They can be very dangerous.

Nashville Tornado's Path

The tornado that hit Nashville followed a path similar to a tornado from 1998. This shows how some storm patterns can repeat over time. The storms also affected other states nearby. Tornadoes were seen in Missouri and Kentucky.

Government Response to the Storm

After the tornadoes, Tennessee's Governor, Bill Lee, declared a state of emergency for the entire state. A state of emergency is when a government announces that a disaster has happened. This allows them to get help and resources faster. President Donald Trump also visited Tennessee on March 6. He came to see the damage and offer support.

Images for kids

• 

  This picture shows the damage from an EF4 tornado. It was taken along North McBroom Chapel Road, near Hensley Drive.

• 

  Helicopters fly over the tornado damage in the Echo Valley and McBroom Chapel areas of Cookeville. This happened during President Trump's visit.