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Culture March 3, 2020

Country stars react to tornado that hit Nashville music community

WATCH: Dolly Parton sends heartfelt message to tornado victims

After a deadly tornado tore through Nashville early Tuesday, celebrities in the tight-knit music community took to social media to show support for their city and all those affected.

PHOTO: Women view damage at the Basement East music venue after a tornado touched down in Nashville, Tenn., March 3, 2020.
Harrison Mcclary/Reuters
Women view damage at the Basement East music venue after a tornado touched down in Nashville, Tenn., March 3, 2020.

Chris Young asked his fans and followers to alert Nashville residents to call their friends and stay safe.

NASHVILLE be safe!!!!! Bad, bad tornadic weather. Call your friends and wake them up.

— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) March 3, 2020

Dierks Bentley shared a video of the stormy skies and said he landed in Nashville late Monday hours before the tornado touched down.

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 pic.twitter.com/qvCjrYNu0x

— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) March 3, 2020

Here are all the country music stars and other celebrities sharing personal updates, thoughts and prayers

My heart is with everyone in Tennessee who has been affected by the tornados. Sending you my love and prayers.

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) March 3, 2020

Praying for all those affected by the devastating storms in Tennessee and my heart is especially with the families who lost loved ones ❤️ We are all with you. pic.twitter.com/hlPS6RJWH4

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 3, 2020

Praying for Nashville and everyone affected by the tornado last night. The McBrides are all ok. Looking to see what we can do to help. #prayfornashville

— Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) March 3, 2020

We are ok. I’m in New York and Maren and our house are fine, but our neighborhood is not. Places we have loved for many years don’t look like they are there any more. We are so thankful and devastated at the same time.

— Ryan Hurd (@RyanHurd) 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

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. pic.twitter.com/pv2VPCafhc

— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) 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

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

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

We won’t be doing the Q&A or any other promo stuff for the record today. We’re going to go out and try to help our neighbors. Keep Nashville in your hearts.

— Ron Pope (@RonPopeMusic) March 3, 2020

Our thoughts are with all those in Music City who have lost their homes and businesses during tonight’s tornado. Stay safe, Nashville. 🙏

— CMT (@CMT) March 3, 2020

east nashville 💔

— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) March 3, 2020

Athletes and sports teams offer condolences

There aren’t any perfect words to say on days like this. Our hearts are broken for all the people affected by the storms, and we praying for quick healing. 💛💙

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 3, 2020

Dear Smashville Fam,

We love you and we want to help. We will be serving pizza at @BrdgstoneArena beginning at 11 a.m. for all those affected by last night's storm. Please feel welcome to come and bring anyone who needs it. 💛🍕

Love,

Us

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 3, 2020

The Tennessee Titans shared a blue heart and prayer hands which prompted replies from other NFL teams around the league.

Nashville 💙🙏🏽

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 3, 2020

Woke up this morning to some serious devastation across this city.Thoughts and prayers to all the communities and families that have been affected by the tornado that swept through the city this morning. This is #OurCity & Vanderbilt Athletics will do all that we can to help⚓️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LKHIhD58VC

— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) March 3, 2020

Thank you to all those who have checked in on the team.

We arrived in Greenville for the SEC Tournament ahead of the storm last night, and our families and friends have been accounted for.

Please keep Nashville and all those affected in your thoughts and prayers.

— Vanderbilt WBB (@VandyWBB) March 3, 2020

Scope of the damage in Nashville

The tornado that ripped through the city left at least 19 people dead, according to The Associated Press, citing the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

East Nashville and the suburb of Mt. Juliet were hit particularly hard.

PHOTO: Police officers view damage along Woodland Street after a tornado touched down in Nashville, Tenn. March 3, 2020.
Harrison Mcclary/Reuters
Police officers view damage along Woodland Street after a tornado touched down in Nashville, Tenn. March 3, 2020.

Authorities have reported that dozens of buildings collapsed, thousands of customers are without power and 15 Super Tuesday polling stations have been impacted.

MORE: Voters in Tennessee impacted by deadly tornadoes

"Our community has been greatly impacted by a tornado," Capt. Chandler of the Mt. Juliet Police Department said Tuesday. "There are multiple homes damaged and multiple people injured. Our officers are in the early stages of this response and we continue to assess what is happening ... there are multiple homes damaged, multiple people injured, multiple people still trapped. We need your help."

9 now confirmed dead from tornadoes in Middle TN. Deaths from East Nashville, Benton Co, Putnam Co, Wilson County. pic.twitter.com/agPclsmIYz

— WKRN Brent Remadna (@RemadnaWKRN) March 3, 2020

"There are gas lines that are leaking, power lines that are on the ground, and multiple emergency responders are responding to those who are injured and trying to get them the help that they need," Chandler continued.

The tornado reportedly stayed on the ground for about 10 miles into Hermitage, Tennessee.

How to help

The American Red Cross of Tennessee has shared ways to volunteer and donate items, as well as shared a list of open shelters for anyone in need of a safe place to stay.

If you were affected by this morning's tornadoes and need a safe place to go, here is a list of open Red Cross shelters: https://t.co/EjZFswLoWe #Nashville #Cookeville #Lebanon #MountJuliet

— American Red Cross of Tennessee (@RedCrossTN) March 3, 2020

"If you would like to donate blood, please visit redcrossblood.org and enter your ZIP code to find a blood drive near you," Red Cross of Tennessee wrote on Twitter. "The only canceled blood drive for Tuesday, March 3, is at Goodpasture School. All other planned donation sites and drives are operating as planned."

Mayor John Cooper also took to Twitter Tuesday and shared a list of local community organizatoins who are accepting volunteers and donations in the wake of the tornado.

For people in the affected area, Cooper suggested three ways to help pitch in.

1. Donate non-clothing items to the community resource center.

2. Volunteer for tornado recovery at Hands On Nashville. The organization is working closely with city officials and the Office of Emergency Management to get resources in place for the affected community.

3. Donate to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

ABC News' Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.