Tornado History

Tennessee Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Tennessee. The local dataset contains 1,683 tornado records from 1950 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F5 (Incredible damage) and at least $3.4B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is May 22, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 407 deaths and 4,930 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes1,683
Total Deaths407
Total Injuries4,930
Property Damage$3.4B
Avg Length4.5 mi
Avg Width199 yd

Key Tornado Facts for Tennessee

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 21.9 tornadoes per year (40.3/yr in last decade)
April is the peak tornado month with 431 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F4 in Tennessee with 23 deaths
2011 was the most active year with 125 tornadoes
The 2010s had the most tornado activity (405 events)
Longest tornado: 100 miles in Tennessee
Widest tornado: 2,500.0 yards in Tennessee
Most tornadoes in one day: 91 on Apr 27, 2011

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In Tennessee, April is the most active month with 431 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

12584420

Summary: 2011 was the most active year with 125 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
EF4
F5

Summary: EF0 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 353 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$1.6B$160.6M$16.1M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2020 with at least $1.6B in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Shelby
Davidson
Rutherford
Wilson
Lincoln
Sumner
Lawrence
Franklin
Montgomery
Gibson
Madison
Dyer
Robertson
Weakley
Coffee
Bradley
Tipton
Lauderdale
Carroll
Williamson

Summary: Shelby County has the highest count in this state group with 54 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F5 April 16, 19981998EF4 February 5, 20082008EF4 April 10, 20092009EF4 March 3, 20202020F4 May 4, 20032003F4 December 24, 19881988EF4 April 27, 20112011EF4 April 27, 20112011EF4 February 5, 20082008EF4 April 27, 20112011F4 January 17, 19991999F4 May 4, 20032003F4 January 24, 19971997F4 May 18, 19951995EF4 December 10, 2021F4 April 16, 1998F4 March 21, 1952F4 March 22, 1952F4 March 22, 1952F4 February 29, 1952F4 April 3, 1956F4 April 27, 1970F4 April 27, 1970F4 April 27, 1970F4 May 7, 1971F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 March 1, 1997EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 December 23, 2015F4 April 16, 1998EF4 April 27, 2011F4 May 5, 1999F4 February 13, 1952F4 February 13, 1952F4 March 21, 1952F4 March 21, 1952F4 March 21, 1952F4 May 2, 1953F4 April 3, 1974EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 December 23, 2015F4 March 1, 1997EF4 April 27, 2011F4 April 19, 1970F4 May 7, 1971F4 May 7, 1971F4 February 21, 1971F4 May 2, 1953F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974EF3 March 3, 2020EF3 March 3, 2020F3 April 16, 1998EF3 March 31, 2023F3 January 22, 1999F3 April 7, 2006F3 November 27, 1994F3 March 29, 1997EF3 March 2, 2012F3 March 22, 1991F3 January 17, 1999F3 April 2, 2006F3 April 2, 2006EF3 December 9, 2023EF3 March 31, 2023F3 April 2, 2006EF3 February 5, 2008EF3 April 2, 2025F3 April 16, 1998F3 April 7, 2006EF3 February 5, 2008EF3 February 5, 2008EF3 May 8, 2024EF3 April 27, 2011© OpenStreetMap contributors
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Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
April 16, 1998F5Lawrence, Tennessee22.7 mi1760 yd021$4.0M
March 3, 2020EF4Putnam, Tennessee8.39 mi900 yd1987$100.0M
April 10, 2009EF4Rutherford, Tennessee23.25 mi750 yd258$100.0M
February 5, 2008EF4Madison, Tennessee7.61 mi125 yd051$100.0M
May 4, 2003F4Madison, Tennessee26 mi880 yd1166$30.0M
December 24, 1988F4Williamson, Tennessee6 mi150 yd17$25.0M
April 27, 2011EF4Bradley, Tennessee20.4 mi800 yd4200$23.0M
April 27, 2011EF4Hamilton, Tennessee4.9 mi800 yd8100$20.0M
February 5, 2008EF4Hardin, Tennessee16.17 mi880 yd35$17.6M
April 27, 2011EF4Bledsoe, Tennessee16.3 mi880 yd410$15.0M
January 17, 1999F4Madison, Tennessee16 mi500 yd6106$10.0M
May 4, 2003F4Henderson, Tennessee13 mi880 yd020$10.0M
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Source And Limits

Data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events Database. TornadoTrace summarizes reported weather events for screening and research; it is not a damage assessment, inspection, or insurance determination. Coordinates and records can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. No warranty of completeness or accuracy.

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