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Trump to Tennessee storm victims: 'We're going to be with them all the way.'

Joel Ebert Adam Tamburin
Nashville Tennessean

President Donald Trump toured tornado wreckage in Putnam County Friday and vowed to provide federal support for the state's recovery efforts.

Tornadoes killed at least 25 people in Tennessee on Tuesday, including 18 near Cookeville on the Cumberland Plateau. Homes and business across five counties were razed.

"They're wiped out. They have nothing," Trump said. "We're going to be with them all the way."

Trump was expected to visit with survivors before leaving Tennessee Friday afternoon.

Here's the latest on the president's visit:

President Donald Trump visits Putnam County after tornados ripped through Middle Tennessee earlier in the week killing at least 25 people Friday, March 6, 2020, in Putnam County, Tenn.

1:15 p.m. Nashville mayor asks Trump for support

Mayor John Cooper spoke briefly with Trump Friday morning after he exited Air Force One in Nashville.

Cooper's office said the mayor told Trump Nashville would need federal support during the tornado recovery. Trump said Nashville would get it.

Cooper also spoke with FEMA staff and Tennessee senators on the tarmac. His office stressed the importance of photographing the damage to their homes.

1:05 p.m. Trump prepares to leave Putnam County

Trump's motorcade arrived back at Cookeville High School, where his team quickly boarded helicopters and prepared to return to Nashville.

The president is expected to fly from Nashville to Atlanta, where he will visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

12:34 p.m. Trump meets with residents at makeshift supply center

Trump and Gov. Bill Lee spoke to dozens of people gathered in a gym turned makeshift supply center.

The audience applauded and said "Amen" after they spoke.

The president shook hands with smiling residents standing behind plastic tables. He held a baby wearing a bow and took a selfie with a teenage boy who lost a family member in the storm.

Plastic water bottles, boxes and clothing were stacked high on the tables.

On the opposite side of the gym an American flag hung from a projector screen. U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Lamar Alexander were there along with other officials.

12:20 p.m. Trump's visit continues

Trump encountered a flattened landscape of shredded homes, snapped trees and broken families when he arrived on the Cumberland Plateau to survey the worst of the damage caused by four tornadoes that tore through Tennessee this week.

"This is real devastation,” he said, surrounded by mountains of broken lumber and splintered drywall.

Trump spoke to residents who had lost everything in the storm. Residents bundled up in coats and hats offered a warm reception, clapping for him and thanking him for coming.

"We love 'em, they are special people," Trump said.

Trump told reporters he planned to speak with more survivors gathered in a nearby church.

The motorcade arrived at a local church about 12:20 p.m., after traveling along two lane roads surrounded by farmland, a cemetery and more onlookers in vehicles and on foot.

11:45 a.m. Trump on victims: 'I love them very much'

Trump said the federal government would offer a wave of funding to support tornado victims who lost their homes and loved ones.

"We're gonna take care of what they need," Trump said while touring the wreckage in Putnam County.

Trump said he felt "love" for the people of Tennessee.

"I love them. I love them very much," Trump said. "That's why I'm here. Some people wouldn't be here."

Gov. Bill Lee, who stood with the president while he talked with supporters, said he was optimistic Tennessee would recover.

"Tennesseans have shown up. We're the volunteer state: We've shown up by the thousands," Lee said. "We're gonna overcome. This state knows how to do that."

11:30 a.m. Trump arrives near damage in Putnam County

Trump's motorcade arrived in a residential area near Plunk Whitson Road and Amanda Drive in Putnam County, where serious tornado damage has been reported. Trump surveyed the wreckage alongside Gov. Bill Lee.

The motorcade traveled slowly down winding two-lane roads while residents watched from their front porches and lawns.

11:08 a.m. Trump arrives in Cookeville

Marine One has touched down outside of Cookeville High School, and Trump's motorcade is on the move.

Hundreds of cheering people lined the streets of Cookeville as the motorcade passed by, unfurling Trump banners and waving flags.

10:45 a.m. Cookeville prepares for presidential visit

Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton was on hand Friday minutes before the president was expected to arrive and see damage from the deadly tornado.

"It provides such comfort to our community that he cares," Shelton said. "Our community is very appreciative of that."

Shelton said the tornadoes brought "the most difficult day" to his city, but he cheered the outpouring of support from across the country.

"Continue to pray," he said. "We've got 18 families that are going to be burying people."

10:24 a.m. Trump leaves Nashville on Marine One

Trump's trip to Putnam County, where 18 people were killed in the cluster of tornadoes, is expected to take about 40 minutes.

10:14 a.m. Trump exits Air Force One

Trump got off of Air Force One wearing a red Keep America Great Again. Tennessee's two U.S. senators, Republicans Lamar Alexander and Marsha Blackburn, were with him on the flight from Washington, D.C.

At the airport, Trump greeted Nashville Mayor John Cooper, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and others before boarding Marine One for a 40-minute trip to Cookeville.

10:01 a.m. Trump lands in Nashville

Trump landed in Nashville, where he stopped briefly before heading to Cookeville.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Republican Senate candidate Bill Hagerty, who previously served as Trump's ambassador to Japan, were among the group there to greet him.

Mt. Juliet Mayor Edward Hagerty, Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto and Benton County Mayor Brett Lashlee also were there.

Trump is expected to take a 40-minute helicopter ride from Nashville to hard-hit areas of Putnam County.

9:51 a.m. Putnam County prepares for Trump visit

Bright digital billboards between Interstate 40 and Cookeville High School.

The bilboards showed Trump hugging an American flag with the message “Our President Cares!”

8:23 a.m. Trump begins trip to Tennessee

Marine One arrived at Joint Base Andrews for President Donald Trump to begins his trip first to Tennessee and then to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend.

The president is wearing khakis and blue zip up jacket with seal as he got on board Air Force One for the flight to Nashville.

Joining him are Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, Deputy Chief of Staff Emma Doyle, National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell and his partner Matt Lashey.

Yihyun Jeong and Jon Garcia contributed to this report.

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LATEST UPDATES:Rescue efforts continue in Putnam Co., more than a dozen remain missing

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