State history
Tornadoes in Tennessee
Tennessee averages 30 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 30 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: December + March-April.
- Population and vulnerability considerations.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn active.
Notable events
- 1908 Amite LA tornado — 143 dead. Nearby.
- 1974 Super Outbreak impact — TN devastation.
- 1998 Nashville F3 — through downtown area.
- 2008 Super Tuesday outbreak — TN devastated.
- 2019 October 26 Southeast outbreak — multiple events.
- 2020 March 3 Nashville-Cookeville EF3-EF4 — 25 dead.
- 2021 December 10-11 Quad State impact — TN devastation.
- 2023 outbreaks — continued activity.
Major cities
Nashville metro
2M+. 2020 event legacy.
Memphis metro
1.4M. Multiple events.
Knoxville
190k. Eastern TN.
Chattanooga
180k. SE TN.
Clarksville
160k. N TN.
Murfreesboro
150k. Central TN.
Cookeville
35k. 2020 event.
NWS coverage
NWS Nashville
Central TN.
NWS Memphis
W TN.
NWS Morristown
E TN.
Chase community
- Regional chasers active.
- Multi-state coordination.
- Documentation of events.
- Public safety focus.
- Community involvement.
- Skywarn integration.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- WEA enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter installation.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
- Emergency contact list.
Vulnerabilities
- Population distribution.
- Building code enforcement.
- Mobile home density in specific areas.
- Community shelter access.
- Rural coverage gaps.
- Historical vulnerabilities.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local NWS office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Multi-hazard awareness.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.
- Ongoing education.