Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, January 17, 1999

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, January 17, 1999
Start: 1999-01-17T17:40
End: 1999-01-17T19:45
Location: Tennessee

January 17, 1999 · NWS MEG · 30 events in 18 counties and zones

12 hail, 10 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado, 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

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The toll

Deaths: 9
Injuries: 132
Property damage: $43 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 30

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.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 hail, 10 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Lake

When: January 17, 5:40 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where: Lake County, Tiptonville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $10
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.380, -89.480

Hail, Tipton

When: January 17, 5:40 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where: Tipton County, Munford
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $100
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 35.450, -89.830

Thunderstorm Wind, Tipton

When: January 17, 5:40 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where: Tipton County, Covington
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.570, -89.670

Several trees were blown down.

Hail, Tipton

When: January 17, 5:40 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where: Tipton County, Covington
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.570, -89.670

Hail, Shelby

When: January 17, 5:48 PM CST to 5:55 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, Millington
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $750
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 35.350, -89.900

Tornado, Lauderdale

When: January 17, 5:55 PM CST to 6:05 PM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, Halls to 2 mi E of Halls
Rating: F2
Path length: 3.5 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Injuries: 11 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.870, -89.430

The tornado formed just west of Halls and travelled east. A mobile home park was damaged west of Halls with eight homes ripped apart. In Halls, several homes sustained damage to roofs, porches and siding. The tornado moved through the north end of the business district flattening two business with several other buildings including a church suffering major damage. As the tornado exited Halls, it damaged roofs, toppled trees and demolished a solitary mobile home. A total of 49 structures were damaged or destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dyer

When: January 17, 6:00 PM CST to 6:15 PM CST
Where: Dyer County, Countywide
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 36.120, -89.420

Numerous trees were knocked down across the county.

Tornado, Crockett

When: January 17, 6:09 PM CST to 6:25 PM CST
Where: Crockett County, Alamo to 1 mi N of Gadsden
Rating: F3
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 125 yd
Injuries: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $1.6 million
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.770, -89.120

The tornado began just south of Alamo and tracked northeast damaging the south side of Alamo before moving into rural areas. Eleven conventional homes, five mobile homes and one commercial building were destroyed. Seventy-three other homes and buildings were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Weakley

When: January 17, 6:10 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where: Weakley County, Martin to Dresden
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 36.350, -88.850

Three business and a church were damaged in Dresden. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.

Hail, Fayette

When: January 17, 6:15 PM CST to 6:20 PM CST
Where: Fayette County, 1 mi S of Hickory Withe
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $50
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 35.230, -89.600

Hail ranged in size from dime to nickel.

Hail, Shelby

When: January 17, 6:15 PM CST to 6:20 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, Memphis
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $10
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 35.130, -90.020

Dime size hail fell in downtown Memphis.

Thunderstorm Wind, Obion

When: January 17, 6:15 PM CST to 6:20 PM CST
Where: Obion County, Union City
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 36.420, -89.050

Several large trees and power lines were knocked down.

Tornado, Haywood

When: January 17, 6:15 PM CST to 6:25 PM CST
Where: Haywood County, Eurekaton to 2 mi E of Hillville
Rating: F3
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.420, -89.180

The tornado started southeast of Eurekaton in Haywood County and travelled northeast crossing into Madison County eventually reaching the north part of the city of Jackson. In Haywood county, seven houses, five mobile homes, five barns and seven sheds were destroyed. In Madison county, the tornado damaged or destroyed several homes in Mercer and Denmark. While moving toward Jackson, the tornado struck the south side of McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport damaging the ASOS equipment located at the airport. The new Tennessee National Guard armory and a hangar were flattened. Two UH-60 helicopters and two other helicopters were destroyed with four additional helicopters damaged. In Jackson, a total of 38 apartments were destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gibson

When: January 17, 6:20 PM CST to 6:25 PM CST
Where: Gibson County, Humboldt
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 35.820, -88.920

A couple of houses had their roofs blown off. Some windows were also blown out. A crop duster was flipped up. Some large tree limbs were knocked down as well.

Hail, Haywood

When: January 17, 6:20 PM CST to 6:25 PM CST
Where: Haywood County, Dancyville
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $100
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.420, -89.300

Tornado, Madison

When: January 17, 6:25 PM CST to 6:40 PM CST
Where: Madison County, Mercer to 2 mi W of Jackson
Rating: F3
Path length: 15 mi
Path width: 600 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.480, -89.070

Tornado, Madison

When: January 17, 6:25 PM CST to 6:40 PM CST
Where: Madison County, Bemis to 3 mi NW of Beech Bluff
Rating: F4
Path length: 16 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Deaths: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 106 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $10 million
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.580, -88.880

The tornado developed just east of Bemis and tracked northeast across the southern part of the city of Jackson. A shopping center suffered severe damage while a nearby funeral home was demolished except for the interior rooms. More than 200 homes were obliterated or heavily damaged while 300 other homes sustained lesser damage. The building housing the school buses for the county was destroyed and 55 school buses were damaged. A high-school baseball stadium was destroyed and the football stadium was damaged.

Tornado, Fayette

When: January 17, 6:35 PM CST to 6:40 PM CST
Where: Fayette County, La Grange to 3 mi SE of La Grange
Rating: F1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.020, -89.180

The tornado started in extreme southeast Fayette county and moved northeast. Fourteen homes including several mobile homes were destroyed and another 27 homes were damaged near Saulsbury. More than thirty power poles were knocked down.

Tornado, Hardeman

When: January 17, 6:40 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hardeman County, Grand Jct to 3 mi W of Middleton
Rating: F1
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.000, -89.180

Hail, Chester

When: January 17, 6:45 PM CST to 6:50 PM CST
Where: Chester County, Henderson
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $750
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.430, -88.670

Hail, Henry

When: January 17, 6:45 PM CST to 6:50 PM CST
Where: Henry County, Paris
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $10
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.300, -88.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: January 17, 6:45 PM CST to 6:50 PM CST
Where: Henry County, Paris
Property damage: $12,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 36.300, -88.320

About a dozen power poles were blown down.

Hail, Henderson

When: January 17, 7:00 PM CST to 7:05 PM CST
Where: Henderson County, 4 mi N of Lexington
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $100
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 35.700, -88.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Henderson

When: January 17, 7:00 PM CST to 7:20 PM CST
Where: Henderson County, Blue Goose to 4 mi N of Lexington
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.6 million
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.650, -88.630

The same thunderstorm complex that produced a tornado in Madison county continued to move northeast and produced downburst winds over parts of Henderson county. One person was killed and several buildings were destroyed south of Blue Goose. Nine houses, 26 mobile homes and 22 other structures were destroyed. Another 134 houses, 61 mobile homes and 52 farm structures were damaged.

Hail, Shelby

When: January 17, 7:05 PM CST to 7:10 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, Memphis
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $250
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 35.130, -90.020

Hail was reported near the Wolfchase Galleria Mall.

Tornado, Carroll

When: January 17, 7:05 PM CST to 7:15 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, Atwood to Mc Lemoresville
Rating: F1
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.970, -88.670

The tornado started in Atwood and moved northeast. Two mobile homes were destroyed in McLemoresville. Two mobile homes were destroyed and eight others were damaged in Atwood. A house under construction was destroyed near hollow Rock. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardeman

When: January 17, 7:15 PM CST to 7:35 PM CST
Where: Hardeman County, Middleton to 2 mi E of Middleton
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 35.070, -88.930

A church steeple was damaged. Numerous trees were blown down.

Hail, McNairy

When: January 17, 7:25 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: McNairy County, Selmer
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $100
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 35.180, -88.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When: January 17, 7:30 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: Chester County, Countywide
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 35.420, -88.650

Some trees and power lines were knocked down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, McNairy

When: January 17, 7:30 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: McNairy County, Countywide
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 35.200, -88.600

One home was damaged near Selmer. Several trees and power lines were blown down over the county.

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, Madison	1999-01-17	9	Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	1999-01-17	81	Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	1999-01-17	46	Female	Other	Direct
Tornado, Madison	1999-01-17	43	Male	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	1999-01-17	43	Male	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	1999-01-17	29	Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Hardeman	1999-01-17	41	Female	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct
Thunderstorm Wind, Henderson	1999-01-17	72	Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Carroll	1999-01-21	49	Male	Mobile/Trailer Home	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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 1999 Every state in 1999 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Tennessee, 1999 Warnings in Tennessee, January 1999

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5685243, 5685244, 5685490, 5685491, 5685245, 5685374, 5685246, 5685375, 5685247, 5685248, 5685249, 5685250, 5685376, 5685251, 5685252, 5685377, 5685378, 5685492, 5685485, 5685253, 5685254, 5685489, 5685255, 5685487, 5685256, 5685488, 5685486, 5685257, 5685258, 5685373.