Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, February 21, 1993

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, February 21, 1993
Start: 1993-02-21T05:20
End: 1993-02-21T17:30
Location: Tennessee

February 21, 1993 · 44 events in 35 counties and zones

22 thunderstorm wind, 12 hail, 10 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 38 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: 1
Injuries: 81
Property damage: $24 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 44

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

22 thunderstorm wind, 12 hail, 10 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: February 21, 5:20 AM CST
Where: Shelby County, Memphis
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 35.184, -89.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A strong downburst produced significant damage to the Whitehaven section of Memphis. An Econo-Lodge was damaged. Several other businesses in the area were damaged as well. Several mobile homes were knocked over. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Several signs and billboards were knocked down as well. The damage extended for about 2 miles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: February 21, 5:55 AM CST
Where: Shelby County, Arlington
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.184, -89.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Some trees were knocked down along Interstate 40.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fayette

When: February 21, 6:05 AM CST
Where: Fayette County, Gallaway
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.197, -89.414 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were knocked down along Interstate 40.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rutherford

When: February 21, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Rutherford County, Smyrna
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.843, -86.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind gusts of 70 knots was measured at the Smyrna Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hickman

When: February 21, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Hickman County, Centerville
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.803, -87.473 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Williamson

When: February 21, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Williamson County to Brentwood
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.894, -86.899 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Maury

When: February 21, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Maury County, Mt. Pleasant Spring
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.617, -87.077 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson

When: February 21, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, Leabanon
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 36.155, -86.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When: February 21, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, Se Portion
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 36.171, -86.777 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dekalb

When: February 21, 1:35 PM CST
Where: Dekalb County, Smithville
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.980, -85.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: February 21, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, Lewisburg
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.469, -86.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tornado, Putnam

When: February 21, 1:52 PM CST
Where: Putnam County, Double Springs
Rating: F3
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 36.170, -85.600

Eight homes were destroyed and 15 others were damaged. One person was trapped in a van after a tree was knocked down on top of it.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smith

When: February 21, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Smith County to Carthage
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 36.251, -85.957 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were knocked down.

Hail, Fentress

When: February 21, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Fentress County, Jamestown
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.381, -84.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees and power lines were knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fentress

When: February 21, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Fentress County, Jamestown
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 36.381, -84.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees and power lines were knocked down.

Hail, Coffee

When: February 21, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Coffee County, Tullahoma
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.491, -86.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tornado, Cumberland

When: February 21, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Cumberland County, Darton to
Rating: F0
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 35.950, -84.970

Three homes were destroyed and several trees and power lines were knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: February 21, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Warren County, McMinnville
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.679, -85.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A traffic light was twisted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When: February 21, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County to Fayetteville
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.141, -86.589 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees wre blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: February 21, 3:15 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Oakdale
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 36.135, -84.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A house was destroyed and several trees and power lines were knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Weakley

When: February 21, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Weakley County, Dresden
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 36.298, -88.718 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were knocked down.

Hail, Anderson

When: February 21, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Anderson County, Oak Ridge
Measured: 3.5 in hail
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 36.118, -84.198 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail ranged from 2.50- to 3.50-inches in diameter.

Hail, Morgan

When: February 21, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Coalfield
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 36.135, -84.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tornado, Knox

When: February 21, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Knox County, Oak Ridge to
Rating: F3
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 36.020, -84.250

The tornado started near Oak Ridge, moved through the Bull Run Steam Plant and went through the town of Claxton. Fifty homes were damaged and six mobile homes were destroyed. Two business were destroyed and another 10 were damaged including a weapons plant. Twelve electric transmission towers were knocked down.

Hail, Morgan

When: February 21, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Oliver Springs
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 36.135, -84.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: February 21, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Camden
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 36.070, -88.068 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mobile home was turned over and several trees were knocked down.

Tornado, Roane

When: February 21, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Roane County, Cave Creek
Rating: F1
Path length: 1.5 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 35.848, -84.523 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The tornado started just west of Cave Creek and travelled east into Loudon County. Several homes were damaged.

Tornado, Knox and Anderson

When: February 21, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Knox and Anderson County, Northbrook
Rating: F3
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 35.993, -83.937 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The tornado that went through Anderson County continued into Knox County affecting the towns of Powell and Northbrook. Eleven homes were destroyed and another 75 homes were damaged. Numerous trees were knocked down as well.

Tornado, Loudon, Roane and Blount

When: February 21, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Loudon, Roane and Blount County
Rating: F3
Path length: 15 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 55 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 35.735, -84.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The tornado that started in Roane County continued into Loudon County and moved through the town of Lenoir City. Between 15 and 20 homes were destroyed and another 144 homes were damaged. Eighteen businesses were damaged or destroyed. A woman was killed as the tornado destroyed her home. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down. (F82P)

Hail, Rhea

When: February 21, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Rhea County, Dayton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.609, -84.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, McMinn

When: February 21, 4:15 PM CST
Where: McMinn County, Etowah
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 35.425, -84.617 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A factory had its windows and doors blown out.

Hail, Hamilton

When: February 21, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, Sale Creek
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.181, -85.165 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail was covering the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: February 21, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, Soddy Daisy
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 35.181, -85.165 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

About 50 trees were knocked down.

Tornado, Blount and Loudon

When: February 21, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Blount and Loudon County, Maryville
Rating: F2
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 35.780, -84.570

The tornado that went through Loudon County continued across Blount County through the town of Friendsville and ending just west of Maryville. One large home was destroyed and several other were damaged. Numerous trees were snapped.

Hail, Meigs

When: February 21, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Meigs County, Paint Rock to Decatur
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 35.513, -84.813 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tornado, Meigs

When: February 21, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Meigs County, Midway to
Rating: F1
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 35.780, -84.570

Hail, Blount

When: February 21, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Blount County, Friendsville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 35.687, -83.925 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Bradley

When: February 21, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Bradley County, Cleveland
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 35.154, -84.860 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, McMinn

When: February 21, 4:35 PM CST
Where: McMinn County, Athens
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 35.425, -84.617 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail was reported at the airport.

Hail, Knox

When: February 21, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Knox County, Knoxville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.993, -83.937 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tornado, Monroe and McMinn

When: February 21, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Monroe and McMinn County, Englewood to
Rating: F1
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Injuries: 7 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 35.430, -84.500

The tornado that was in McMinn County continued into Monroe County and produced considerable damage to the town of Tellico Plains. Over 100 houses were either damaged or destroyed. A high school had its gymnasium roof damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down. The tornado continued into part of the Cherokee National Forest and damaged numerous trees and closed a campground for the season.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: February 21, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Benton
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 35.120, -84.523 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mobile home was flipped over and several trees were knocked down.

Tornado, Monroe and McMinn

When: February 21, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Monroe and McMinn County, One Home Was Destroye to Waucheesi
Rating: F3
Path length: 15 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 10 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 35.443, -84.253 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Sevier

When: February 21, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Sevier County, Sevierville
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.785, -83.524 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees and power lines were knocked down.

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	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Tornado, Loudon, Roane and Blount	1993-02-21				Direct

What these are

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.
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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 1993 Every state in 1993 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Tennessee, 1993 Warnings in Tennessee, February 1993

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: 10348821, 10348822, 10349242, 10348776, 10349462, 10349110, 10349379, 10349000, 10349923, 10348714, 10349305, 10349889, 10348866, 10349340, 10349341, 10349786, 10349851, 10348958, 10349797, 10349737, 10349034, 10349223, 10349738, 10349640, 10349739, 10349330, 10348751, 10349726, 10349195, 10349902, 10349467, 10349631, 10349632, 10349511, 10349570, 10349571, 10349415, 10349512, 10349468, 10349641, and more.