Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, April 3, 1974

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, April 3, 1974
Start: 1974-04-03T12:33
End: 1974-04-03T23:35
Location: Tennessee

April 3, 1974 · 58 events in 35 counties and zones

47 tornado, 6 hail, 5 thunderstorm wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 45
Injuries: 747
Property damage: $22 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 58

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

Event by event

47 tornado, 6 hail, 5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Hamilton

When: April 3, 12:33 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.020, -85.200

Tornado, Bradley

When: April 3, 1:05 PM CST
Where: Bradley County
Rating: F3
Path length: 15.4 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 100 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.100, -84.920

Tornado, Polk

When: April 3, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Polk County
Rating: F3
Path length: 2.7 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 35.230, -84.700

Tornado, Blount

When: April 3, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Blount County
Rating: F2
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.780, -83.920

Tornado, McMinn

When: April 3, 2:30 PM CST
Where: McMinn County
Rating: F1
Path length: 3.6 mi
Path width: 27 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 32 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 35.330, -84.570

Tornado, Hamilton

When: April 3, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County
Rating: F1
Path length: 5.9 mi
Path width: 27 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 35.250, -85.020

Tornado, Robertson

When: April 3, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Robertson County
Rating: F1
Path length: 4.3 mi
Path width: 27 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 36.480, -86.970

Hail, Robertson

When: April 3, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Robertson County
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Coordinates: 36.500, -86.880

Hail, Bradley

When: April 3, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Bradley County
Measured: 3 in hail
Coordinates: 35.170, -84.880

Hail, McMinn

When: April 3, 3:20 PM CST
Where: McMinn County
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Coordinates: 35.330, -84.530

Tornado, Loudon

When: April 3, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Loudon County
Rating: F2
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.670, -84.170

Tornado, Monroe

When: April 3, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Monroe County
Rating: F2
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.520, -84.350

Hail, Davidson

When: April 3, 4:09 PM CST
Where: Davidson County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.130, -86.680

Tornado, Bradley

When: April 3, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Bradley County
Rating: F3
Path length: 9.7 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.180, -84.870

Tornado, Davidson

When: April 3, 4:18 PM CST
Where: Davidson County
Rating: F2
Path length: 4.7 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.130, -86.730

Tornado, Polk

When: April 3, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Polk County
Rating: F3
Path length: 5.4 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.220, -84.700

Tornado, Maury

When: April 3, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Maury County
Rating: F1
Path length: 7.9 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 35.600, -86.930

Tornado, McMinn

When: April 3, 4:30 PM CST
Where: McMinn County
Rating: F3
Path length: 6.1 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Injuries: 50 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.270, -84.630

Hail, Marshall

When: April 3, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Marshall County
Measured: 3 in hail
Coordinates: 35.530, -86.800

Tornado, Marshall

When: April 3, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Marshall County
Rating: F1
Path length: 6.5 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 35.530, -86.770

Tornado, Wilson

When: April 3, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Wilson County
Rating: F2
Path length: 15.8 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.270, -86.200

Tornado, Bedford

When: April 3, 5:10 PM CST
Where: Bedford County
Rating: F1
Path length: 6.4 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 35.600, -86.680

Tornado, Rutherford

When: April 3, 5:10 PM CST
Where: Rutherford County
Rating: F3
Path length: 15.9 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 35.830, -86.430

Tornado, Marshall

When: April 3, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Marshall County
Rating: F1
Path length: 26.1 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.450, -86.850

Tornado, Fentress

When: April 3, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Fentress County
Rating: F2
Path length: 7.9 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 36.520, -84.870

Tornado, Overton

When: April 3, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Overton County
Rating: F1
Path length: 4.3 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 36.380, -85.330

Tornado, Cannon

When: April 3, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Cannon County
Rating: F3
Path length: 5.2 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.920, -86.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When: April 3, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Davidson County
Coordinates: 36.200, -86.850

Tornado, Dekalb

When: April 3, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Dekalb County
Rating: F3
Path length: 9.4 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.950, -85.970

Tornado, Lincoln

When: April 3, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County
Rating: F4
Path length: 13.1 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Deaths: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 100 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 35.000, -86.500

Tornado, Jackson

When: April 3, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Jackson County
Rating: F1
Path length: 8.6 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 36.250, -85.600

Tornado, Franklin

When: April 3, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Franklin County
Rating: F4
Path length: 14.4 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Deaths: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 21 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.120, -86.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Sumner

When: April 3, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Sumner County
Coordinates: 36.480, -86.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: April 3, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clay County
Coordinates: 36.550, -85.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: April 3, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clay County
Coordinates: 36.550, -85.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Macon

When: April 3, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Macon County
Coordinates: 36.520, -86.030

Tornado, Lincoln

When: April 3, 7:14 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County
Rating: F4
Path length: 10.4 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 35.000, -86.430

Tornado, White

When: April 3, 7:15 PM CST
Where: White County
Rating: F4
Path length: 6.6 mi
Path width: 700 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.030, -85.570

Tornado, Putnam

When: April 3, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Putnam County
Rating: F4
Path length: 13.1 mi
Path width: 700 yd
Deaths: 10 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 51 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 36.080, -85.470

Tornado, Lincoln

When: April 3, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County
Rating: F4
Path length: 21.3 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 35.120, -86.320

Tornado, Pickett

When: April 3, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Pickett County
Rating: F4
Path length: 7.2 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Deaths: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.520, -85.080

Tornado, Overton

When: April 3, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Overton County
Rating: F4
Path length: 8.7 mi
Path width: 700 yd
Coordinates: 36.180, -85.270

Tornado, Franklin

When: April 3, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Franklin County
Rating: F4
Path length: 11 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 35.350, -86.070

Tornado, Fentress

When: April 3, 7:50 PM CST
Where: Fentress County
Rating: F4
Path length: 18.8 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Deaths: 7 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 150 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.250, -85.080

Tornado, Franklin

When: April 3, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Franklin County
Rating: F3
Path length: 4.1 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 35.250, -86.000

Tornado, Coffee

When: April 3, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Coffee County
Rating: F3
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 35.300, -85.970

Tornado, Warren

When: April 3, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Rating: F2
Path length: 8.7 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.520, -85.770

Tornado, Cocke

When: April 3, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Cocke County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 27 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 35.920, -83.030

Tornado, Giles

When: April 3, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Giles County
Rating: F1
Path length: 27.5 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 35.280, -86.920

Tornado, Overton

When: April 3, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Overton County
Rating: F3
Path length: 9.4 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Deaths: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 120 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 36.350, -85.380

Tornado, Warren

When: April 3, 10:45 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Rating: F1
Path length: 7.2 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 35.750, -85.830

Tornado, White

When: April 3, 10:45 PM CST
Where: White County
Rating: F1
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 36.030, -85.400

Tornado, Morgan

When: April 3, 10:50 PM CST
Where: Morgan County
Rating: F3
Path length: 3.6 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Injuries: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 36.250, -84.670

Tornado, Scott

When: April 3, 10:50 PM CST
Where: Scott County
Rating: F3
Path length: 13 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Injuries: 21 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 36.480, -84.600

Tornado, Scott

When: April 3, 10:55 PM CST
Where: Scott County
Rating: F3
Path length: 8.6 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Injuries: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 36.280, -84.620

Tornado, Knox

When: April 3, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Knox County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 21 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 36.100, -83.770

Tornado, White

When: April 3, 11:30 PM CST
Where: White County
Rating: F2
Path length: 3.3 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Injuries: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 35.930, -85.330

Tornado, Cumberland

When: April 3, 11:35 PM CST
Where: Cumberland County
Rating: F2
Path length: 12.9 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 35.950, -85.280

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Kind
Tornado, Bradley	1974-04-03	Direct
Tornado, McMinn	1974-04-03	Direct
Tornado, Polk	1974-04-03	Direct
Tornado, Cannon	1974-04-03	Direct
Tornado, Warren	1974-04-03	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 1974 Every state in 1974 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Tennessee, 1974

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10124049, 10124050, 10124051, 10124052, 10124053, 10124054, 10124055, 10124056, 10124273, 10124274, 10124275, 10124276, 10124277, 10124278, 10124279, 10124280, 10124281, 10124282, 10124283, 10124284, 10124285, 10124286, 10124287, 10124288, 10124289, 10124290, 10124291, 10124292, 10124293, 10124294, 10124295, 10124296, 10124297, 10124298, 10124299, 10124300, 10124301, 10124302, 10124303, 10124304, and more.