Storm killed 19 throughout Middle Tennessee

Country stars are reacting to a deadly powerful storm that tore through the Nashville area early Tuesday (Mar 4th) morning. As of this writing, 19 people were killed and dozens of homes and businesses were damaged by a tornado that ripped through Middle Tennessee just before 1 am CT.

The twister destroyed at least 48 buildings, and have left about 50,000 customers without power, according to CBS News. One video shows the city’s CBS affiliate, WTVF, getting hit directly. The on air meteorologist pleas for everyone to take shelter immediately as the screen goes dark, but the audio can still be heard.

Popular East Nashville music venue The Basement East was destroyed, leaving only one standing wall, containing a mural displaying “I Believe in Nashville.” T-shirts featuring the mural are being sold with 100% of today’s profits benefitting disaster relief in Middle Tennessee.

Tim McGraw shares a little backstory about the mural. “The iconic ‘I Believe In Nashville’ murals started popping up after the big flood ten years ago. It’s stood as a symbol of resilience and togetherness. We are heartbroken for our community after last nights tragic tornado, but know that together we will rise up and rebuild again!” he tweets.

Brad Paisley has shared details on how everyone can help the area with donations.

“For those I’m hearing from today wondering how to help quickly, The Music City Inc foundation was started after the floods to get relief to people locally. It can immediately help those most severely impacted by things like these Nashville tornadoes,” he writes.

“The Music City Inc. foundation will be buying gift cards for essentials and will get them in the hands of the most impacted families right away.

“Make a donation through PayPal with donate@visitmusiccity.com or you can make a check to the Music City Inc. Foundation and send to One Nashville Place, 150 Fourth Ave., North, Suite G-250 Nashville, TN 37219

“Nashville is resilient.

“I have so much faith in this community and it’s ability to be there for those in need.”

https://www.facebook.com/bradpaisley/posts/10159451410628098

Dierks Bentley landed at Nashville airport about an hour before the storm tore through. He shared aerial footage of the same storm that spawned a tornado that traveled about 50 miles.

“We ducked around this cell and landed at john tune airport around 11:30 last night,” he writes. “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.”

He shares more details on Facebook, including that his drummer lost his home. “Lot of people lost their homes, including our drummer, and a lot of people in need. But no one comes together as a city like #nashville does.”

Carrie Underwood was in New York promoting her new book when she shared that her husband Mike Fischer and two young sons were at home in Nashville during the storm.

“I’m like texting people I know, and I’m like asking my husband if everybody’s good,” Underwood tells NBC’s Savannah Guthrie and Carson Daly on TODAY. “He said he had to go upstairs at like 2 am and grab the boys and take them down to a little safe room in our house.

“I was like, ‘I bet everybody is crying.’ It’s 2 am, freaking out, so it was scary.”

Maren Morris said the tornado came extremely close to her house, but didn’t damage it.

“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,” she shares. “There are so many people in the streets helping already, though. Thinking of those who lost their loved ones + homes.”

https://twitter.com/MarenMorris/status/1234852951702884354

Garth Brooks loves how the community comes together in need. “Seeing the responses ‘I’m here for you’ ‘Do you need a place to stay?’ …this community comes together to take care of its own,” he writes. “So proud to be part of the family we call Nashville. All of our love and strength to those who have lost so much. #NashvilleStrong ❤️ TY & g”

https://www.facebook.com/GarthBrooks/photos/a.814067295339372/2859721630773918/?type=3&theater

Reba, Blake Shelton, Justin Bieber and many other celebrities have sent love to the city.