A strong storm system moved across Middle Tennessee during the evening hours on Thursday, February 24th. This system produced several severe thunderstorms, resulting in mainly tornadic and straight line wind damage events across several counties in the mid state.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 OHX wrote it up.
A strong storm system moved across Middle Tennessee during the evening hours on Thursday, February 24th. This system produced several severe thunderstorms, resulting in mainly tornadic and straight line wind damage events across several counties in the mid state.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Nashville, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 23, 11:17 PM CST, 43 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN 1117 PM CST WED FEB 23 2011 .UPDATE...FOR 24/06Z AVIATION FORECAST && .AVIATION... WARM FRONT DRAPED ACROSS SOUTHERN ARKANSAS...NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI THEN THROUGH NORTHWEST ALABAMA TO ALONG THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU. FRONT APPEARS QUASI-STATIONARY IN SEGEMENTS. FRONT FORECAST TO LIFT NORTHWARD OVERNIGHT AND EXTEND FROM BOOTHEEL OF MISSOURI THROUGH WESTERN KENTUCKY THEN ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY. HIGHER PRECIPITABLE WATER ACROSS SOUTHERN ARKANSAS...NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE THIS EVENING WITH GOOD MOISTURE TRANSPORT PUNCHING INTO BAND OF SHOWERS AND STORMS THAT HAVE BEEN MOVING THROUGH SOUTHWESTERN TENNESSEE FOR THE LAST FEW HOURS AND HAVE SINCE MOVED INTO SOUTHWEST MIDDLE TENNESSEE. EXPECT THIS ACTIVITY TO MOVE NORTHEAST IN THE OVERNIGHT. HAVE INCLUDED A 2 HOUR PERIOD OF TEMPO FOR TSTMS AT BNA BEGINNING AT 24/06Z. MODELS LIFT CURRENT AREA OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS NORTHWARD OVERNIGHT WITH THE BULK OF THE ACTIVITY DURING THE DAY ON THURSDAY CONFINED TO THE KENTUCKY BORDER NORTHWARD. THIS LEAVES NORTH HALF OF MID STATE IN LIGHTER QPF AMOUNTS. COULD SEE SOME SEVERE STORMS THU EVENING IN MID STATE AS SURFACE LOW TRACKS ALONG A CLIMATOLOGICALLY FAVORED PATH FOR TORNADOES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE WITH MID STATE IN THE WARM SECTOR. HAVE A PROB30 FOR TSTMS THURSDAY EVENING AT BNA. BOYD && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 925 PM CST WED FEB 23 2011/ UPDATE...FOR AVIATION FORECAST AMENDMENT 24/0303Z AVIATION... AREA OF SHOWERS HAS DEVELOPED BOUNDED BY INTERSTATE 65 AND INTERSTATE 24 SOUTH OF NASHVILLE. NO LIGHTNING SHOWING UP IN THIS AREA AT THIS TIME AS IT MOVES DUE EAST AT 25 TO 30 KTS. LOOKS LIKE THE AREA WILL REMAIN SOUTH OF BNA AS IT MOVES OFF TO THE EAST BUT MAY CLIP CSV AFTER 24/04Z. HAVE UPDATED CSV TO REFLECT THIS EARLIER TIME OF ARRIVAL. THERE IS ANOTHER AREA OF SHOWERS WHICH HAS A FEW TSTMS IN IT CURRENTLY MOVING THROUGH THE MEMPHIS AREA. THIS AREA WILL CONTINUE ITS NORTHEASTWARD MOVEMENT TOWARD MIDDLE TENNESSEE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS. HAVE AMENDED BNA TO START SHOWERS A LITTLE SOONER THAN PREVIOUS FORECAST. LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD BE ELEVATED CONVECTION AS THIS AREA MOVES INTO MIDDLE TENNESSEE IN THE OVERNIGHT. HOWEVER...THINK THE BEST CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE AFTER 25/00Z AT BNA AND CSV AFTER 25/06Z. BOYD PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 600 PM CST WED FEB 23 2011/ UPDATE...FOR 24/00Z AVIATION FORECAST AVIATION... MOSTLY SPRINKLES ACROSS PARTS OF THE MID STATE AT EARLY EVENING. A WARM FRONT IS SNAKED ACROSS SOUTHERN ARKANSAS...NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND THEN DOWN THROUGH CENTRAL ALABAMA INTO WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA. THE FRONT WILL BEGIN TO LIFT NORTHWARD LATER TONIGHT AND TAKE UP RESIDENCE ROUGHLY FROM BOOTHEEL OF MISSOURI THROUGH WESTERN KENTUCKY AND INTO SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY. A SURFACE SYSTEM IN EASTERN PANHANDLE OF TEXAS AND WESTERN OKLAHOMA BECOMES BETTER ORGANIZED AND STRENGTHENS AS IT MOVES EAST ALONG FRONTAL BOUNDARY DURING THE DAY THURSDAY PRODUCING HEAVY RAINFALL. ECMWF HAS BEEN CONSISTENT IN PLACEMENT OF THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL AXIS WHICH EXTENDS FROM BOOTHEEL OF MISSOURI EASTWARD THROUGH WESTERN KENTUCKY AND INTO SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY. THIS IS ALSO IN AGREEMENT WITH HPC QPF PROGS. EXPECT RAINFALL TO COMMENCE HERE IN MIDSTATE AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH THE DAY ON THURSDAY AND OVERNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT. ONCE SURFACE LOW GETS NORTH OF MID STATE THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL SHIFTS SOUTH DOWN INTO MIDDLE TENNESSEE THURSDAY NIGHT. THUNDER NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS BUT DID NOT FIND ENOUGH THERMODYNAMIC INSTABILITY THROUGH 25/00Z TO SUPPORT PUTTING IN FORECASTS BUT CANT RULE COMPLETELY OUT AN ELEVATED STORM. MAV MOS HAS VERY LOW THUNDER POPS. THE LAST TIME WE HAD A THUNDERSTORM AT BNA AIRPORT WAS ON JANUARY 1ST 2011. WILL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WHEN NEW GUIDANCE COMES IN AND MAY NEED TO INCLUDE THUNDER IN LATER UPDATE OR 24/06Z FORECASTS. BOYD && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 6 AM CST THURSDAY THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT FOR TNZ005>011-022>031-033-056-057-059. && 01
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN 852 AM CST WED FEB 23 2011 TNZ032-034-058-060>066-075-077>080-093>095-241100- PUTNAM-FENTRESS-LEWIS-MAURY-MARSHALL-RUTHERFORD-CANNON-DE KALB- WHITE-CUMBERLAND-BEDFORD-COFFEE-WARREN-GRUNDY-VAN BUREN-WAYNE- LAWRENCE-GILES- 852 AM CST WED FEB 23 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT AS A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVES ACROSS THE MID STATE. HEAVY RAINFALL IS ALSO EXPECTED...WITH AMOUNTS RANGING FROM 1 TO 2 INCHES ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLATEAU AND PLACES NEAR THE ALABAMA BORDER...TO MORE THAN 3 INCHES IN AREAS NORTHWEST OF NASHVILLE. AS A RESULT...FLOODING IS POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST HALF OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE. TNZ005>011-022>031-033-056-057-059-241100- STEWART-MONTGOMERY-ROBERTSON-SUMNER-MACON-CLAY-PICKETT-BENTON- HOUSTON-HUMPHREYS-DICKSON-CHEATHAM-DAVIDSON-WILSON-TROUSDALE- SMITH-JACKSON-OVERTON-PERRY-HICKMAN-WILLIAMSON- 852 AM CST WED FEB 23 2011 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT FOR NORTHWESTERN HALF OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT AS A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVES ACROSS THE MID STATE. HEAVY RAINFALL IS ALSO EXPECTED...WITH AMOUNTS RANGING FROM 1 TO 2 INCHES ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLATEAU AND PLACES NEAR THE ALABAMA BORDER...TO MORE THAN 3 INCHES IN AREAS NORTHWEST OF NASHVILLE. AS A RESULT...FLOODING IS POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST HALF OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE. MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT WEATHER.GOV OR BY LISTENING TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE. 31
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 139 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:57 UTC.
27 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado, 1 heavy rain, 1 lightning, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Public reported five inches of rain over a twenty four hour time period. This caused several road closures across the county.
Numerous trees were reported downed along with numerous power outages.
The Farmer’s CO-OP roof was damaged. Minor structure damage included gutters torn off of several homes. Several trees in the area were also blown down.
Numerous trees were reported downed at the intersection of U.S Highway 70 and State Route 1 in Dickson.
Several large trees were downed near Exit 8 off of Interstate 24.
Roof was blown off of a structure near Woodlawn. Details on type of structure, extent of structural damage, and associated cost, were unknown.
Near the intersection of State Route 48 (Main Stret) and Harmon Springs Road West, a tree fell down into a house. Details concerning the extent of damage to the house and associated damage cost were unknown.
Trees were downed on Crab Creek Road. On State Route 1, a transformer was blown off a poll, resulting in power outages across this area.
Several trees were reported downed along with power outages caused by trees and debris falling on power lines across this area.
In the Cleveland Street area north of downtown Nashville, at least 100 large hardwood trees were uprooted and a few were snapped. Fallen trees damaged some roofs and vehicles. Some loss of shingles noted on house roofs. A small amount of aluminum siding peeled off a couple of exterior walls. A wood fence was also blown down.
In the Carriage Hills Subdivision near Ravenwood High School, fences were blown down, play equipment was blown around and damaged, and minor roof damage to several homes occurred. Trees were also blown down in this area.
Near the Opryland Golf Course in northeast Nashville, dozens of large hardwood trees were uprooted. Some lost shingles noted on house roofs.
Tree was downed on a house on Petway Avenue in East Nashville. Details on extent of damage to the house were unknown.
Several trees were reported downed from the intersection of McMurray Drive and Edmonson Pike to near Harding Place.
Four inch tree was downed and winds were estimated at 65 mph.
Trees were downed and garbage dumpsters were knocked over.
A swath of thunderstorm wind damage, with a path length of just over one mile, and a width of about 500 yards, occurred in Lakewood. At least 100 large hardwood trees were uprooted with a few trees snapped, fallen trees damaged some roofs and vehicles, and some loss of shingles noted on dozens of house roofs. Three power poles were snapped and wood fences in the area were also blown down.
Multiple power lines down along Lebanon Road due to debris falling on them. Type of debris was unknown. This resulted in power outages to neighborhoods in this area.
In south Hendersonville, a heavily forested subdivision experienced tree damage. At least 100 large hardwood trees were uprooted, including a few snapped. Trees that had fallen had damaged some roofs and vehicles. Some loss of shingles also noted on house roofs.
Damaged occurred in the Smith Springs Area of southeast Davidson County. Damage began near the intersection of Butler and Smith Springs Road where two churches experienced significant roof damage. Damage continued to the northeast across the Priest Lake Forecast Community where approximately ten homes suffered significant roof damage. A couple of homes had complete roof loss including a two story home which lost most of its second floor. Damage continued northeast across Percy Priest Lake and eventually into Wilson County. The last evidence of damage was near the intersection of Gladieville Circle and Stewarts Ferry Pike.
About 30 homes were damaged by fallen trees across Davidson County reported by police and fire officials. Hardest hit area was near Percy Priest Lake.
Large pine tree was downed and blocked one lane of Shute Lane in Old Hickory.
Tree was reported on house near Indian Lake Boulevard. Extent of damage to house and associated costs were unknown.
Damaged occurred in the Smith Springs Area of southeast Davidson County. Damage began near the intersection of Butler and Smith Springs Road where two churches experienced significant roof damage. Damage continued to the northeast across the Priest Lake Forecast Community where approximately ten homes suffered significant roof damage. A couple of homes had complete roof loss including a two story home which lost most of its second floor. Damage continued northeast across Percy Priest Lake and eventually into Wilson County. The last evidence of damage was near the intersection of Gladieville Circle and Stewarts Ferry Pike.
Trees were reported downed across JFK Drive.
House located on Butt Road in North Central Sumner County was struck by lightning around 430 am. Details concerning any structural damage and associated cost were unknown.
An EF2 tornado touchdown just south of Central Pike along Gladieville Road. Damage continued northeast for eight miles with the last evidence of damage near Interstate 40 and Cumberland Street South of Lebanon. The most significant damage occurred between Franklin Road and State Highway 840. Several warehouse buildings suffered significant roof and wall damage, and a consturction trailer was completely destroyed with debris spread out over hundreds of yards. A 500kv TVA high tension metal truss tower was completely bent over. Hundreds of hardwood trees were either snapped and uprooted.
Two inches of water covered the roadway at the intersection of Tylertown and Trenton Roads.
Trees were blown down and blocked area roadways.
Trees were downed on Marbury Road and also a couple of other roads across the county.
Structural damage was reported by the public. Details concerning the type of structure and associated costs of the structural damage were unknown.
Trees were downed on U.S. Highway 70 in Sand Springs.
A Microburst resulted in snapped and uprooted trees, with a farm straddling the state line receiving the most significant damage. A carport was destroyed and blown away, and a barn was completely destroyed. The damage path was approximately two miles long and 100 yards wide.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Tennessee, 2011Warnings in Tennessee, February 2011
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: 284697, 284565, 283872, 283818, 283897, 283898, 283864, 283955, 283899, 284952, 284563, 284953, 283973, 284559, 284561, 284686, 284955, 283949, 284957, 318252, 284566, 284567, 284688, 284964, 284564, 283216, 284965, 284723, 284690, 284691, 284693, 284695, 285019.