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'It's Like a War Zone:' Nashville Tornado Leaves Path of Death, Churches Among the Devastation

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The twister that ripped through eastern Tennessee early Tuesday with terrifying 165 mile per hour winds left total devastation in its wake, killing some as they slept in their beds. The death toll has risen to 24.

"It is heartbreaking," said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. "We have had loss of life all across the state."

Dozens of buildings and homes were destroyed by the high winds and rescuers are searching for people still unaccounted for.

Survivors have been sharing harrowing accounts of the experience.

"The windows had been blown out, the doors had been blown open and our neighbor had been ejected from his house and into our yard," said one resident.  

Cleanup crews are working to remove trees and power lines from the streets. Tens of thousands are without power and many are homeless from multiple tornadoes that roared through the state leaving a path of destruction across Nashville, with homes, businesses and schools totally shredded.

One local church was completely flattened.

OPERATION BLESSING is on the ground to provide disaster relief in Tennessee. Click Here to Help.

"I mean we've been through lots of tornado warnings, never thought that this would happen," a resident named Laura said. "It's just shock.  It's like a war zone."

The deadly storms hit as Tennesseans prepared to vote in Super Tuesday primaries. State officials kept some polling places open late.

Stories of hope have been emerging from the disaster. A seven-year-old boy was trapped by downed power lines outside his home. Firefighters rushed to carry him to safety.

New storms are forecast to move through the area as survivors work to pick up the pieces and look to rebuild their communities.

Meanwhile, President Trump is set to travel to the region Friday.

OPERATION BLESSING is on the ground to provide disaster relief in Tennessee. Click Here to Help.

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About The Author

Charlene Aaron
Charlene
Aaron

Charlene Aaron serves as a general assignment reporter, news anchor, co-host of The 700 Club, co-host of 700 Club Interactive, and co-host of The Prayerlink on the CBN News Channel. She covers various social issues, such as abortion, gender identity, race relations, and more. Before joining CBN News in 2003, she was a personal letter writer for Dr. Pat Robertson. Charlene attended Old Dominion University and Elizabeth City State University. She is an ordained minister and pastor’s wife. She lives in Smithfield, VA, with her husband.