NASHVILLE, Tenn — UPDATE (5:30 p.m.): Governor Bill Lee asked the federal government to help response and recovery efforts in the Metropolitan Nashville area, after an intentional explosion in the downtown area.
He requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, through the Public Assistance program.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency activated the State Emergency Operations Center for the incident at 9 a.m., central time. It remains operational, and they are providing staff support to Metro Nashville's Emergency Operations Center.
The explosion impacted AT&T's communication systems across Tennessee, Kentucky and northern Alabama. It disrupted service at 911 call centers across Tennessee and grounded flights at Nashville Internation Airport.
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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is requesting an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump after the Christmas Day explosion in downtown Nashville.
Gov. Lee also tweeted that he toured the site of the explosion on Saturday morning.
As the federal authorities continue to investigate the explosion, Gov. Lee tweeted that he has asked President Donald Trump "to support ongoing efforts and relief."
According to the governor, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are continuing to investigate after an explosion that occurred outside the AT&T transmission building on Second Ave North on Saturday morning. Metro Police said the bombing was "an intentional act."
Police released a photo of the RV that exploded in downtown after arriving around 1:30 a.m. The blast damaged dozens of businesses and injured at least three people.
