Tornado hits Tennessee: 24 dead, 77 missing

(Patria) – Just the night before Tuesday's election (Super Tuesday), the American state of Tennessee was hit by a tornado that destroyed at least 40 buildings and killed at least 24 people.

The State Emergency Management Agency believes the final death toll could be higher as the search for victims progresses. 

Enormous damage was inflicted on central Nashville, where hundreds of families were left homeless.

The tornado cut off electricity, felled trees, roofs, and house walls. Schools and the airport were closed, and damaged polling stations were removed.

Official sources state that about 48,000 customers in Nashville, 17,000 in Wilson County, and another 8,000 in Cumberland, Putnam, and Jackson counties were left without electricity.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper commented on the occasion, saying that 'last night was a reminder of how fragile life is'.