5 killed after strong tornado hits U.S. state Tennessee

At least five people were killed in the southern U.S. state of Tennessee after a powerful tornado tore through the state early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper said there are about 20 people in the hospital following the tornado, according to CNN affiliate WTVF.

Three people died in Putnam County, about 100 miles (about 161 km) east of Nashville, Sheriff Eddie Farris confirmed to WTVF. Two deaths were reported in East Nashville, a tweet from the Metro Nashville Police Department said.

The Nashville Fire Department is responding to approximately 40 structure collapses around the city, local media reported.

At least 50,100 power outages have been reported statewide, according to the PowerOutage.US website, with more than 47,000 reported by the Nashville Electric Service.