Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Tennessee, May 1 to 15, 2010

Straight line winds knocked down trees and power lines near Stanton.

Straight line winds knocked a few tree limbs and power lines down near Martin. Winds were estimated at 72 mph.

Very heavy rain up to 20 inches produced devastating flooding across Crockett County. As many as 25 roads and bridges were flooded or washed out. At the peak of the flooding, most of the county roads were closed. Some rescues occurred from the flood waters. In total, 49 houses sustained some kind of flood damage. Of those, thirteen were completely destroyed. Three businesses were damaged as well. A few apartment complexes, farm buildings and other structures were affected by the flood waters. The flash flood event transitioned into a flood event by late in the afternoon as heavy rain allowed rivers to rapidly rise and overflow their banks.

Very heavy rain up to 20 inches produced devastating flooding across Lauderdale County. Twenty homes sustained at least minor damage. Twenty mobile homes and few businesses sustained damage as well. Five roads sustained major damage and fifteen roads received minor damage. The flash flood event transitioned into a flood event by late in the afternoon as heavy rain allowed rivers to rapidly rise and overflow their banks.

Very heavy rain fell during the day across Madison County. As much as 11 to 16 inches fell across the county. Forty roads and bridges were closed due to the flooding. Vehicles had water up to the steering wheels in some locations. Power outages occurred as a result of the flooding. Houses were inundated with water(as much as 5 feet) especially in South Jackson, the Herron Grove area of Jackson, McGee Loop area of Northeast Jackson, and Bemis. In total, 120 to 140 homes across Madison County sustained damage from the flooding. As many as 85 businesses in Jackson received damage. The flash flooding event transitioned into a flood event as rivers rose quickly from the rainfall and overflowed their banks. Some roads remained closed for days making travel difficult. Shelters were opened in Jackson due to the flooding.

Very heavy rain produced widespread flash flooding across Tipton County. Up to 20 inches of rain fell causing devastating damage to homes, businesses, roads and bridges. In fact, 40 roads were impassable in Tipton County due to the flooding. Twenty-one of those roads and 14 bridges were washed out as a result of the flooding. Other roads received damage just from the heavy rain. Damage was particularly bad in Atoka and Mason. Numerous vehicles were completely submerged in water. Two apartment complexes in Covington sustained major damage. In total, 309 homes received damage from the flooding. Of those, 96 homes were completely destroyed. As many as 93 businesses were flooded and of those 21 were completely destroyed. Nineteen mobile homes were flooded with 14 being destroyed. Many other structures or buildings were flooded as well. One fatality occurred in Mason. The flash flooding event transitioned into a flood event as rivers rose rapidly and overflowed their banks.

Very heavy rain produced devastating flash flooding across Northwestern Shelby County. Up to 16 inches of rain fell causing widespread flooding. Millington was the hardest hit area where a levee holding back water from Big Creek was topped. As many as 200-300 homes in base housing at the Naval Support Activity Base were flooded. Numerous people had to be rescued. Four to five feet of water covered the navy base. Some locations around Millington were covered by as much as 8 feet of water. All roads in Millington were closed. Power outages occurred due to the flood waters. Raleigh, Frayser and Bartlett also received widespread flooding where water was as deep as vehicles windshields. One fatality occurred in Raleigh as a vehicle became stranded in flood waters. Water covered some streets in Downtown Memphis with water as high as vehicles wheel wells. In total, 576 homes received some kind of flood damage. Of those, 77 were completely destroyed. Eight businesses were damaged and 403 mobile homes were completely destroyed. Several other buildings including apartment complexes were damaged as well. The flash flooding event transitioned into a flood event where rivers rose rapidly spilling over their banks.

Very heavy rain as much as 20 inches fell across Haywood County producing widespread flash flooding. As many as 21 roads were flooded or washed out from the heavy rain. In total, 168 homes sustained some kind of flooding damage. Three businesses received damage as well. Vehicles were stranded in flood waters. At least one flood rescue occurred. The flash flooding event transitioned to a flood event as the heavy rain allowed rivers to rise rapidly overflowing their banks.

Very heavy rain up to 20 inches fell across Carroll County producing widespread flash flooding. Small streams and creeks overflowed their banks. At least 25 roads were flooded or washed out as a result. In total, eleven homes sustained damage from the flooding. Three of those were totally destroyed. Thirty-six businesses also sustained damage with nine being totally destroyed. Several other buildings including apartment complexes, farm buildings, and mobile homes also received damage. One fatality occurred when a vehicle was washed off the roadway as the driver tried to drive through flood waters. Water swept more than 20 used cars off of a car lot in downtown Huntingdon. Railroad tracks across the county sustained damage as well. The flash flooding event transitioned into a flood event as the heavy rain allowed rivers to rise rapidly and overflow their banks.

Heavy rain produced flash flooding in Southeastern Henry County. Highway 641 was underwater as a result. Several other roads were flooded as well.

Very heavy rain produced widespread flash flooding in Gibson County. Rainfall amounts were estimated between 10 to 15 inches. As many as 16 roads were flooded or washed out. Highway 79 between Milan and the Carroll County line was covered by as much as 8 feet of water. In total, 137 homes sustained some kind of flood damage in Gibson County. Of those homes, six were completely destroyed. Eighty-seven businesses received damage with two businesses being completely destroyed. A few apartment complexes, mobile homes and other public buildings sustained damage as well. One fatality occurred as the waters quickly rose and swept one person off their feet. The flash flood event transitioned into a flood event as the heavy rain caused the North Fork Forked Deer and the Middle Fork Forked Deer River to overflow their banks.

Very heavy rain up to 20 inches produced widespread flooding in Henderson County. Numerous roads and bridges were flooded or washed out. At least 35 culverts were washed out from the heavy rain. As many as 43 homes sustained damage from the flood waters. Numerous rescues from homes and vehicles stranded in flood waters had to be made. The flash flood event transitioned to a flood event by late in the afternoon as heavy rain allowed rivers to overflow their banks.

Very heavy rain, up to 12 inches, produced widespread flooding in Chester County. As many as 30 roads and bridges were flooded or washed out. The flash flood event transitioned to a flood event by late in the afternoon as heavy rain allowed rivers to overflow their banks.

Very heavy rain up to 20 inches produced widespread flooding in Decatur County. Numerous roads and bridges were flooded or washed out. At least 40 roads and eight bridges were damaged from the flooding. As many as 89 homes sustained damage from the flood waters. Numerous rescues from homes and vehicles stranded in flood waters had to be made. The flash flood event transitioned to a flood event by late in the afternoon as heavy rain allowed rivers to overflow their banks.

Very heavy rain, up to 10 inches, fell across Fayette County. Small streams and creeks quickly overflowed causing numerous roads to be flooded or washed out. In total, about 20 homes and three businesses received flood damage across the county. The hardest hit area was the North Woods Subdivision in Oakland. However, the cities of Rossville, Hickory Withe, and Somerville also had homes or businesses flooded. Several vehicles were stranded in flood waters as well.

Very heavy rain produced flash flooding across Southern Shelby County. Numerous streets were flooded in the Germantown and Collierville areas.

Straight line winds knocked a few trees and power lines down on Middleburg Road, Tomlin Chapel Road and Cub Creek Hall north and west of Decaturville in Decatur County.

Straight line winds knocked down trees near Lakeland. One tree fell down on Monroe Road blocking the road.

Straight line winds produced roof and structural damage to about seven homes near the Fair Oaks Golf Course just north of Oakland. Large trees were uprooted as well.

Heavy rain produced flash flooding in the Whiteville area. Numerous roads were flooded as a result. Some of the roads were damaged as a result of being washed out. A few culverts were washed out as well.

Very heavy rains produced a flash flooding event in Madison County. As much as 11 to 16 inches of rain fell across Madison County. The flash flooding event transitioned to a flood event by late afternoon of May 1st. The South Fork Forked Deer River in Jackson rose quickly above flood stage. Many homes and roads were affected by the high water.

Flash flooding transitioned into a flood event across Northern Shelby County as a result of up to 16 inches of rain. The Loosahatchie River rose rapidly spilling over its banks flooding numerous homes and businesses from Millington to Arlington. Many roads were underwater as well. The river crested at a record level in Arlington on May 2nd.

Heavy rainfall in excess of 10-15 inches produced flash flooding which later transitioned to a flood event across Gibson County. The North Fork Forked Deer quickly rose to record levels. Water spilled out of its banks and flooded areas near Trenton and Milan. Numerous homes and businesses were flooded as a result.

Very heavy rains produced a flash flooding event in Lauderdale County. As much as 20 inches of rain fell across Lauderdale County. The flash flooding event transitioned to a flood event by late afternoon of May 1st. The South Fork Forked Deer River in Halls rose quickly above flood stage. Many homes and roads were affected by the high water.

A tornado briefly touched down on Micro Road in Millington, just west of Highway 51. The tornado tracked northeast to Highway 51 before lifting. A couple of wooden poles and several trees were blown down and twisted.

Heavy rain produced flash flooding across Southern Weakley County. Several roads were flooded as a result.

Straight line winds blew down and damaged several stacked empty 40 ft. long 18 wheeler rail storage containers in Southwest Memphis.

Heavy rain produced flash flooding near Tiptonville. Several roads were flooded. At least one home and one business sustained at least minor damage. A baseball field was flooded as well.

A weak tornado touched down briefly near Gadsden snapping off many pine trees 10 to 20 feet above the ground.

A tornado touched down on the south side of Humboldt and several houses received roof, siding and garage door damage. One home in Humboldt received partial roof loss and garage damage while the storage shed and wooden swing set were completely destroyed. Several power poles were knocked down before a winery received tree and vine damage. Some tiles were stripped off the business home at the winery. One rural home suffered more extensive damage near the end of the track with partial roof loss, porch removal and brick veneer ripped off the northeast corner of the home. Windows were also blown out on the home with a large well built brick supported carport completely destroyed. A well built 40 foot by 40 foot wood and metal shed on the property was completely destroyed with the wood support beams snapped off one foot above the concrete slab. A tour bus nearby was lifted and turned 180 degrees. A semi trailer on the property was also flipped over. Numerous large trees along the path were either uprooted or damaged. A few smaller trees were snapped off one to two feet above the ground. Several power lines were also knocked down before the tornado lifted near Pleasant Hill Road.

A tornado crossed into Hardeman County from Tippah County, Mississippi. The tornado tracked northeast hitting Pocahontas before moving into McNairy County. One fatality occurred in Pocahontas when a single wide trailer was destroyed. Two injuries also occurred. In total, one home was completely destroyed. Thirteen homes sustained major damage with another five receiving very minor damage. Two mobile homes were destroyed with another two receiving minor damage. Numerous trees were snapped and debarked in the area. In addition, power lines were knocked down as well.

A tornado crossed into McNairy County from Hardeman County. The tornado briefly traveled northeast before lifting near Highway 57. Several trees and power lines were knocked down in the area. This storm would later spawn a couple of tornadoes further northeast in McNairy County.

A tornado briefly touched down near Dan Head Road, west of Ramer. Several trees were knocked down in the area. Minor roof damage occurred to a mobile home. This tornado was spawned by the same cell that produced damage from near Ashland Mississippi to near Pocahontas, Tennessee. This same cell would go onto produce damage near Selmer.

A tornado touched down near the intersection of Sulphur Springs Road and Steadman Road, southwest of Selmer, and tracked northeast. This tornado was spawned from the same cell that produced a tornado from near Ashland, Mississippi to near Pocahontas, Tennessee and just west of Ramer, Tennessee in McNairy County. Tree and minor roof damage was noted at the beginning of the track. The tornado tracked further to the northeast and hit northern parts of Selmer. A carport failed due to fallen trees at the Christmas Tree Farm. A large home was moved off the foundation as well as a double wide mobile home. A single wide trailer was destroyed and wrapped around a tree. Total collapse of a few buildings occurred as well. Large trees were knocked down and minor roof damage was noted. The tornado then tracked further to the northeast and hit Bethesda and Purdy. Two churches were destroyed. A brick home sustained major roof damage while a horse barn was completely destroyed. The tornado tracked further to the northeast and hit the town of Good Hope. Two homes were destroyed. The tornado continued to the northeast crossing into Hardin County just to the southwest Milledgeville. At least ten injuries occurred in McNairy County from the tornado. In total, 22 homes were completely destroyed with 59 homes sustaining major damage. At least minor damage occurred to 219 homes. Fifteen mobile homes were destroyed and eleven sustained major damage. Twenty mobile homes received minor damage. Several other buildings and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed as well.

A tornado tracked northeast into Hardin County from McNairy County and hit the town of Milledgeville. One house sustained major damage while another sustained roof damage. Minor damage occurred to a shed. Several trees were knocked down in the area. Two injuries occurred from the tornado. This storm went on to produce a tornado in Henderson and Decatur Counties.

Very heavy rain fell across McNairy County producing widespread flash flooding. The city park in Selmer was flooded. Numerous roads and bridges were flooded or washed out. The flash flooding transitioned to flooding as the heavy rain caused rivers to rapidly rise and overflow their banks.

Very heavy rain fell across Hardeman County producing widespread flash flooding. Numerous roads and bridges were flooded or washed out. Around 60 roads were damaged as a result. The flash flooding transitioned to flooding as the heavy rain caused rivers to rapidly rise and overflow their banks.

Heavy rain fell across Obion County early Sunday morning. This caused creeks and ditches to overflow their banks. Several roads were flooded as a result. By Sunday afternoon, the flash flooding event transitioned to a flood event as water from creeks and streams allowed river levels to quickly rise. A breach in the North Fork of the Obion River caused widespread flooding in Kenton. As many as 50 homes were flooded as a result.

A tornado touched down along Old Reagan Road, southwest of Scotts Hill and tracked northeast. This storm cell had previously produced tornadoes in McNairy and Hardin Counties. A building and outbuilding sustained roof damage at the beginning of the track. The tornado continued northeast and hit Scotts Hill before crossing into Decatur County. Several trees were knocked down along the path. In total, five homes were damaged from the tornado.

A tornado tracked northeast into Decatur County from Henderson County. Several trees were knocked down along the path.

Heavy rain produced widespread flash flooding across Hardin County. One hundred roads were damaged as a result. Several water rescues occurred as a result of the flooding. Forty homes and twenty six businesses reported at least minor damage.

As much as 11 to 16 inches of rain fell near Spring Creek. The heavy rains caused Spring Creek to rise rapidly. This caused lake levels in the Springbrook Lake to also rise. A levee failed as a result of the high water spilling water into Springbrook Lake Estates. Many homes and roads were flooded as a result.

Winds gusted to 60 mph at the National Weather Service Office in Memphis.

Heavy rain of 10 to 20 inches produced record breaking flooding along the North Fork Forked Deer River in Dyer County. South Dyersburg was hit extremely hard with numerous homes and businesses sustaining major damage. At one point portions of South Dyersburg was underneath as much as 4 feet of water. In total, at least 600 structures received damage from the flooding.