Tennessee, 1999

Flash Flooding and Flood in Tennessee, May 5 to 9, 1999

May 5 to 9, 1999 · NWS OHX · 61 events in 35 counties and zones

53 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood, 3 hail, 1 flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 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
0
Injuries
6
Property damage
$4.1 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
61

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 Ft Campbell radar (KHPX), 59 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:14 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

53 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood, 3 hail, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Houston

When
May 5, 2:24 AM CST
Where
Houston County, East Portion
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$31,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.270, -87.600

Few trees down in east portion of county. TEMA reported $31,000 cost was to restore utility service.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When
May 5, 7:13 PM CST to 7:14 PM CST
Where
Decatur County, Parsons
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
35.650, -88.130

Strong thunderstorm winds damaged roofs, signs, storage buildings and windows to several businesses in Parsons. A large pecan tree fell on 4 cars.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trousdale

When
May 5, 7:14 PM CST
Where
Trousdale County, 2 mi W of Hartsville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.400, -86.200

Severe damage to home on Hwy 25 and Sulfur College Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
May 5, 7:20 PM CST
Where
Wayne County, Clifton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
35.380, -88.020

Trees and power lines were down.

Flash Flood, Maury

When
May 5, 7:20 PM CST to May 6, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Maury County, Columbia
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.617, -87.077 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff's office reported many streets were flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When
May 5, 7:25 PM CST
Where
Benton County, South Portion
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.920, -88.080

Sheriff's office reported trees down in southern part of county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lewis

When
May 5, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Lewis County, Countywide
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.530, -87.500

EMA reported large trees were down countywide.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
May 5, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Wayne County, Collinwood
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
35.180, -87.750

Spotter reported trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Macon

When
May 5, 7:45 PM CST
Where
Macon County, West Portion
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.530, -86.100

Trailer home overturned.

Hail, Lawrence

When
May 5, 7:47 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, 6 mi W of Lawrenceburg
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
35.250, -87.430

SKYWARN spotter reported quarter size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
May 5, 7:54 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, 4 mi NNW of Lawrenceburg
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$97,000
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
35.300, -87.370

Spotter reported trees and power lines down 1 mile south of U.S. Highway 64 and S.R. 241. TEMA reported main expense was to restore utility service.

Thunderstorm Wind, Maury

When
May 5, 7:59 PM CST
Where
Maury County, Culleoka
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.480, -86.980

Several large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hickman

When
May 5, 8:00 PM CST
Where
Hickman County, North Portion
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.380, -87.450

EMA reported 2 trailers destroyed on Mill Creek Road in the northern part of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dickson

When
May 5, 8:10 PM CST
Where
Dickson County, Dickson
Property damage
$230,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.080, -87.380

EMA reported trees down and trailer home split in half by fallen tree. TEMA reported main cost was for the restoration of utility service.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
May 5, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, Lawrenceburg
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.250, -87.330

Vehicle blown off road in downtown Lawrenceburg. Driver had arm broken.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
May 5, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, 1 mi E of Lawrenceburg
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.250, -87.320

Wind damage to trailer home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
May 5, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, 3 mi E of Lawrenceburg
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.250, -87.280

Roof was blown off a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
May 5, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, Ethridge
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.320, -87.320

Large oak tree fell on a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Williamson

When
May 5, 8:17 PM CST
Where
Williamson County, Fairview
Property damage
$476,000
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
35.980, -87.120

Small trees were across the road. Some homes received damage to chimneys and roofs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Robertson

When
May 5, 8:24 PM CST
Where
Robertson County, Countywide
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.500, -86.870

Widespread trees and power lines down around the county. 20 to 25 percent of the roads in Robertson county were blocked due to downed trees. At one point during the storm, 65% of the people were without power in Sprinigfield. A tree fell on a house in Springfield.

Hail, Marshall

When
May 5, 8:29 PM CST
Where
Marshall County, Lewisburg
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.450, -86.800

EMA reported dime size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hickman

When
May 5, 8:30 PM CST
Where
Hickman County, Centerville
Injuries
2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$190,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.780, -87.470

Police department reported 2 mobile homes destroyed, several buildings damaged, and trees and power lines were down. There were 2 injuries.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bedford

When
May 5, 8:30 PM CST
Where
Bedford County, Countywide
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.530, -86.450

Sheriff's office reported widespread trees and power lines down around the county. Most of a roof was taken off the Sanford Pencil Co. in Shelbyville. Also, a shed blew down on a vehicle in Bell Buckle.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When
May 5, 8:34 PM CST
Where
Davidson County, Bellevue
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.070, -86.930

Spotter reported 60 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When
May 5, 8:34 PM CST
Where
Davidson County, Nashville
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.130, -86.830

EMA reported roof off a house on 10th and Monroe.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheatham

When
May 5, 8:34 PM CST
Where
Cheatham County, Ashland City
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.280, -87.070

Spotter reported 60 mph wind gust. A large tree fell on a mobile home in Kingston Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Giles

When
May 5, 8:35 PM CST
Where
Giles County, North Portion
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.330, -87.030

Wide spread trees and power lines were blown down in the northern part of the county. 2 homes were damaged from fallen trees in Lynnville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When
May 5, 8:35 PM CST
Where
Davidson County, Bellevue
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.070, -86.930

Spotter reported 70 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When
May 5, 8:40 PM CST
Where
Davidson County, Nashville
Measured
70 kt (81 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.130, -86.830

Spotter reported 80 mph wind gust in the Fessler's Lane and Murfreesboro Road area of Nashville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When
May 5, 8:45 PM CST
Where
Davidson County, Nashville Metro Arpt
Measured
86 kt (99 mph)
Property damage
$2.7 million
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.130, -86.680

FAA wind equipment clocked a 99 mph wind gust in the strong thunderstorm downdrafts. 70 planes were damaged, and 2 hangars were destroyed. Many trees and power lines were down around the county. Debris and jet fuel was scattered across the runway. The airport was closed for several hours. The hardest hit area in Davidson county were Pennington Bend, Elysian Fields, Antioch, Old Hickory, east Nashville and Radnor lake. Part of a roof was lifted off Stratford H.S. Metro schools were cancelled on May 6 so crews could restore power and clean up debris around the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When
May 5, 8:45 PM CST
Where
Davidson County, West Portion
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.180, -86.900

Widespread trees were blown down across the western part of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson

When
May 5, 8:51 PM CST
Where
Wilson County, Countywide
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.150, -86.300

Sheriff's office reported trees were blown down around the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When
May 5, 8:57 PM CST
Where
Davidson County, Joelton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.320, -86.870

Tree fell on top of a car.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When
May 5, 9:05 PM CST
Where
Davidson County, Goodlettsville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
36.320, -86.720

Large trees were uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cannon

When
May 5, 9:05 PM CST to 9:07 PM CST
Where
Cannon County, 6 mi SSE of Woodbury
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
35.750, -86.050

A large tree fell on a small frame house on 1295 Bullpen Rd. The house was totally destroyed. Also, the roof of a large shed was blown off at Red Hill, located in the southeast part of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheatham

When
May 5, 9:07 PM CST
Where
Cheatham County, Pleasant View
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
36.400, -87.030

Spotter reported 60 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rutherford

When
May 5, 9:11 PM CST
Where
Rutherford County, South Portion
Injuries
3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.800, -86.370

Mobile home damaged by strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trousdale

When
May 5, 9:14 PM CST
Where
Trousdale County, 9 mi SW of Hartsville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.320, -86.280

Damage to bridge and home around U.S. Highway 231.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lewis

When
May 5, 9:30 PM CST
Where
Lewis County, Hohenwald
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.550, -87.570

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Macon

When
May 5, 9:31 PM CST
Where
Macon County, West Portion
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.530, -86.100

Trees and power lines were down in the western part of the county. Some homes had roof damage.

Hail, Warren

When
May 5, 9:34 PM CST
Where
Warren County, Rock Is
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
35.780, -85.620

Public reported nickel size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When
May 5, 9:35 PM CST
Where
Warren County, Countywide
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
35.680, -85.780

EMA reported extensive trees and power lines were down around the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sumner

When
May 5, 9:36 PM CST
Where
Sumner County, Gallatin
Measured
80 kt (92 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.400, -86.450

Tractor trailer overtuned on S.R. Highway 109 Bypass.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When
May 5, 9:45 PM CST
Where
Jackson County, Gainesboro
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.350, -85.650

EMA reported many trees and power lines were down. The hardest hit area was North Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When
May 5, 9:55 PM CST
Where
Clay County, Countywide
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.530, -85.530

Trees and power lines were down countywide. There was damage to a trailer house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When
May 5, 9:55 PM CST
Where
Putnam County, Bloomington Spgs
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.200, -85.620

Sheriff's office reported trees down on S.R. Highway 56.

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Buren

When
May 5, 9:55 PM CST
Where
Van Buren County, Bone Cave
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.770, -85.580

Sheriff's office reported trees and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind, White

When
May 5, 10:00 PM CST
Where
White County, Sparta
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.930, -85.470

Sheriff's office reported widespread trees and power lines down around the county.

Flash Flood, Montgomery

When
May 5, 10:00 PM CST to May 6, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Montgomery County, Clarksville
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
36.497, -87.383 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flooding was reported around Mallard Drive and Minor Drive off Tiny Town Road. Some homes and cars were flooded. There was also flooding at Dunbar Cave Road and S.R. 374, along U.S. Hwy 41-A near Ft. Campbell, on Trenton Road and Power Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, White

When
May 5, 10:05 PM CST
Where
White County, Sparta
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
35.930, -85.470

Wind damage to a roof of a church. A large tree nearly split a house on Cummings Chapel Rd. Many trees were blown down around the Sparta Country Club.

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Buren

When
May 5, 10:05 PM CST
Where
Van Buren County, Spencer
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.750, -85.470

Extensive trees and power line damage reported by sheriff's office.

Flood, Cumberland

When
May 5, 10:20 PM CST
Where
Cumberland County, Crossville
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.950, -84.998 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Local law enforecement reported street flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fentress

When
May 5, 10:20 PM CST
Where
Fentress County, Wilder
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.270, -85.080

Trees and power lines were down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Overton

When
May 5, 10:20 PM CST
Where
Overton County, Hanging Limb
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.230, -85.170

Sheriff's office reported trees and power lines blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cumberland

When
May 5, 10:20 PM CST
Where
Cumberland County, Crossville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.950, -85.030

Sheriff's office reported trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cumberland

When
May 5, 10:25 PM CST
Where
Cumberland County, Isoline
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.080, -85.050

Sheriff's office reported 2 large trees down in the center of town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pickett

When
May 5, 10:25 PM CST
Where
Pickett County, 8 mi S of Byrdstown
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.450, -85.130

Sheriff's office reported trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fentress

When
May 5, 10:40 PM CST
Where
Fentress County, East Jamestown
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.470, -84.870

Trees and power lines were down.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
May 5, 11:00 PM CST to May 6, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Franklin County, Countywide
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.155, -86.092 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff's office reported water covering several roads around the county. High water briefly entered the lower level of Winchester City Hall.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fentress

When
May 5, 11:08 PM CST
Where
Fentress County, Jamestown
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates
36.430, -84.920

Trees were down along with power outages just north of Jamestown.

Flash Flood, Grundy

When
May 6, 1:30 AM CST to May 9, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Grundy County, 10 mi W of Altamont
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.388, -85.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff's office reported 2 feet of water covering Highway 108 near Owl Mountain.

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.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Tennessee in 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, May 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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5697276, 5696660, 5697277, 5697278, 5697279, 5697280, 5697281, 5697282, 5697285, 5697286, 5697287, 5697363, 5697364, 5697365, 5697366, 5697367, 5697368, 5697369, 5697370, 5697371, 5697372, 5697283, 5697373, 5697374, 5697375, 5697376, 5697377, 5697378, 5697379, 5697454, 5697455, 5697456, 5697457, 5697458, 5697540, 5697459, 5697460, 5697461, 5697284, 5697462, and more.