The combination of abundant moisture, a low pressure system moving through the region, and cold air at the surface caused an ice storm to occur over Northwest Tennessee. Most of the precipitation fell in the form of freezing rain.
Every event with a place to put it; 12 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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 episode as NWS MEG wrote it up.
The combination of abundant moisture, a low pressure system moving through the region, and cold air at the surface caused an ice storm to occur over Northwest Tennessee. Most of the precipitation fell in the form of freezing rain. Toward the end of the event, precipitation changed briefly to sleet and snow. Significant ice accumulations occurred with Lake and Obion Counties being the hardest hit. One to two inches of ice fell across Northwest Tennessee in addition to one inch of snow. A quarter of an inch of ice along with two inches of snow fell across counties stretching from Lauderdale to Carroll. Less than an inch of snow fell across the rest of West Tennessee. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down from the ice storm. Some counties lost anywhere from seventy to one hundred percent of their power during the peak of the storm. This occurred mainly across extreme Northwest Tennessee. Roads were very hazardous to travel and many accidents occurred as a result. Two deaths occurred from the storm. One death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning while the other was from the inability to refill an oxygen tank due to the extensive power loss.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 ice storm, 2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
One inch of ice fell across Obion County. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable. Three injuries occurred from auto accidents.
One inch of ice fell across Lake County. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
Three-quarters of an inch of ice fell across Weakley County along with an inch of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
A half inch of ice fell across Dyer County along with an inch of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
A half inch of ice fell across Tipton County along with one to two inches of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
A quarter of an inch of ice fell across Henry County along with a half of an inch of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
A quarter of an inch of ice fell across Crockett County along with two inches of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
A quarter of an inch of ice fell across Lauderdale County along with one to two inches of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
A quarter of an inch of ice fell across Gibson County along with one to two inches of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
A quarter of an inch of ice fell across Carroll County along with a half of an inch of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. Roads were impassable.
Two inches of snow fell in Haywood County.
One inch of snow fell in Madison County.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Storm, Obion | 2009-01-31 | Unknown | Indirect | ||
| Ice Storm, Obion | 2009-01-31 | Permanent Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, January 2009
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: 148740, 148741, 148742, 148743, 148744, 148745, 148746, 148747, 148748, 148749, 148750, 148752.