NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It’s hard to believe, but five years ago, parts of Middle Tennessee were left in ruin after a devastating series of tornadoes. On the night of March 2, 2020, eight tornadoes ripped through neighborhoods in Nashville, Wilson County, Putnam County, and other surrounding communities. The storms left behind a trail of destruction that forever altered the landscape, claiming 25 lives and displacing countless others.
In the aftermath of the storms, however, the true spirit of Tennessee came to light. Strangers helped strangers, and neighbors came together to pick up the pieces of their homes and their lives. The outpouring of support and unity served as a testament to the Volunteer State’s nickname, reminding everyone that when disaster strikes, the community will stand strong.
The chaos and terror of that night were captured in chilling 911 calls that have since resurfaced in memory. One call, in particular, serves as a stark reminder of the panic and destruction that unfolded: “Help! I’m under the Jefferson Street Bridge,” the caller said. “Tornado came through and got us. I’m buried under a bunch of rubble! Help!”
The storm hit without warning, leaving many in the dark about the extent of the destruction. “People were walking down the streets — there were no lights,” said Tequila Johnson, a member of the TN Equity Alliance. “People were confused. A lot of people didn’t know what happened, and there were literally people who lost their entire homes.”
When daylight finally broke, the damage became even clearer. Communities like Five Points, where many residents lived and worked, were devastated. “It’s hard to see,” Twan Palmer said in a 2020 interview. “It’s going to take a minute to rebuild our neighborhood.”
In the hours following the storm, families clung to one another in their homes, trying to find safety as they watched their lives unravel. For some, the loss was almost incomprehensible. “I’m so grateful for whatever was looking out for me, ’cause I wouldn’t be here without it,” Amanda Randolph said at the time.
For those who survived the destruction, the road to recovery was never easy. But in the face of loss, community bonds were strengthened. Johnson reflected on the importance of community in times of crisis, noting, “It’s really not until you experience something like a tornado and you’re looking at all of your belongings and you have nothing that you realize, sometimes, all you have is community.”
As one of the individuals who sprang into action after the tornadoes, Johnson focused not only on helping clean up the devastation but also on ensuring that the community of North Nashville, a historically significant area, was protected from potential displacement. Developers were assessing land in the aftermath, eager to buy property from long-time homeowners and renters. However, Johnson and others were determined to ensure that the people of North Nashville were given options and weren’t forced to leave due to the disaster.
“We realized that someone had to make sure that the community was okay and that people were given options,” Johnson explained. “They shouldn’t be forced to move or find a different home just because of the disaster. They needed to understand their options.”
While five years have passed since the tornadoes, the memory of those lost and the community’s efforts to rebuild remain strong. The scars left on the city’s landscape are a constant reminder of the tragedy, but the resilience shown by its people has ensured that the spirit of Nashville and the surrounding communities lives on.
The road to full recovery is far from complete, but the sense of unity that emerged from the destruction has helped to heal the wounds, proving that even in the darkest moments, the strength of a community can overcome the hardest of challenges.
