Predators Open Bridgestone Arena to Nashville Tornado Victims

Tim Daniels @TimDanielsBRFeatured ColumnistMarch 3, 2020

CORRECTS YEAR TO 2020 NOT 2019 - Fallen trees rest on the roof of an apartment complex damaged by a reported tornado Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in Spartanburg, S.C. A powerful winter storm brought severe weather across the Deep South early Thursday, with high winds causing damage that killed one person, injured several others and littered at least four states. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Sean Rayford/Associated Press

The NHL's Nashville Predators announced they will serve pizza Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena to anyone affected by a tornado that struck central Tennessee overnight.

Nashville Predators @PredsNHL
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

At least 22 people were killed when the tornado along with other severe storms hit the area Monday night into early Tuesday morning, per CNN. Nashville was struck hard as 48 buildings collapsed and around 150 people were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

"As tragic as this is—and our hearts are broken—we are certain that we'll surround these folks and we'll do what is necessary," Gov. Bill Lee said.

Nashville Predators @PredsNHL
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 is one of the country's best NHL markets, with the team's average attendance exceeding the Bridgestone Arena seating capacity (101.7 percent) during the 2019-20 season, according to ESPN.

The Preds played a home game Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers, and they're scheduled to return home Thursday to face the Dallas Stars after a brief trip to take on the Minnesota Wild.

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