Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee in the early hours of March 3, including a direct hit in downtown Nashville around 12:40 a.m. Multiple deaths—at least 19 people have died in four counties (updated at 11:28 a.m.)—have been reported, as well as significant damage to hundreds of homes and buildings.
One of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Nashville was the historic Germantown area, which has a population of more than 2,700 people, including numerous industry execs, media members and country stars.
A number of country stars checked in via social media and other press outlets—including Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Kelsea Ballerini, Reba McEntire, Jake Owen, Maren Morris and more—to share updates and prayers.
Thinking about you #Nashville. Stay strong!!!
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) March 3, 2020
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the Nashville area affected by the tornado last night. Even if the tornado didn’t hit our personal space, we are all affected because we are Nashvillians. My heart… https://t.co/S6dpfGfgg1
— Reba (@reba) March 3, 2020
Thanks for all the calls & well wishes. We are ok. Prayers for all of NASHVILLE & surrounding areas this morning. Ready to help in the devastation.
— Chris Janson (@janson_chris) March 3, 2020
Our hometown of Hendersonville was spared by the awful band of storms last night but East Nashville Mt Juliet and much of Lebanon were hit hard by tornados … 9 dead thus far … huge damage … #PrayersForNashville #prayersforTN
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) March 3, 2020
My heart goes out to this wonderful city and community. I have lived here since 1987 and not seen this level of damage. Thinking and praying for all who were affected. #nashvillestrong https://t.co/PuBsvkuoVT
— Terri Clark (@TerriClarkMusic) March 3, 2020
Praying for Nashville this morning 💔
— Scotty McCreery (@ScottyMcCreery) March 3, 2020
I’m thankful for the well wishes here in Nashville from everyone. There are people that have lost loved ones and their homes. We as NASHVILLE will stand together and help anyone and everyone in need. That’s why I’m proud to live here and call it home.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) March 3, 2020
Oh nashville. 💔 very sad morning. how do we start to help? point me in the right direction and let’s start helping and healing.
— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) March 3, 2020
So incredibly sad for our town. Sending prayers for all those impacted by this terrible storm. It’s so heartbreaking to see what we’re watching the news this morning. @ Franklin, Tennessee https://t.co/qWpZfsFSWd
— Thompson Square (@thompsonsquare) March 3, 2020
Carrie Underwood via Today show: “[Mike] said he had to go upstairs at, like, 2 a.m. and grab the boys and take them down…we have like a little safe room in our house. I bet everybody was crying.”
Maren Morris via Twitter: “The tornado must have missed our block by an inch because we are alright but I am so depleted looking at the damage that has happened to our beautiful city. There are so many people in the streets helping already, though. Thinking of those who lost their loved ones + homes.”
Dierks Bentley via Twitter: “We ducked around this cell and landed at john tune airport around 11:30 last night. Glad we landed when we did. Wouldn’t have been good an hour later. It was the cell that turned into the tornado. Lot of people lost their homes. No one comes together as a city like Nashville does”
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com