Tornado and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, May 26, 2011

Name: Tornado and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, May 26, 2011
Start: 2011-05-26T00:00
End: 2011-05-26T12:35
Location: Tennessee

May 26, 2011 · NWS OHX · 14 events in 9 counties and zones

Severe thunderstorms occurred across eleven Middle Tennessee counties through the morning hours on Thursday, July 26th. This resulted in thunderstorm wind damage events across these counties.

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $243,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS OHX wrote it up.

Severe thunderstorms occurred across eleven Middle Tennessee counties through the morning hours on Thursday, July 26th. This resulted in thunderstorm wind damage events across these counties. A brief tornado touchdown also occurred in DeKalb County and associated damage across portions of that county.

What forecasters said that day

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 May 25, 11:06 PM CST, 54 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 25, 11:06 PM CST, 54 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1206 AM CDT THU MAY 26 2011

.UPDATE...FOR 06Z TAFS

&&

.AVIATION...MVFR CIGS/VSBYS WITH OCNL IFR CIG/VSBYS IN TSTMS WITH
STRONG GUSTY WINDS TIL 0700Z. CIG/VSBY IMPROVING TO MVFR 07Z-10Z
THEN VFR CONDITIONS AFTER 10Z. MORE TSTMS POSSIBLE TOMORROW
AFTER 16Z. SOUTH WINDS SHIFTING TO WESTERLY LATE TOMORROW.
VFR CONDITIONS AT KCSV DETERIORATIING TO MVFR 07Z-09Z. IFR CONDITIONS
IN TSTMS EXPECTED FROM 09Z-13Z. MVFR/VFR CONDITIONS AFTER 13Z...BUT
TSTMS POSSIBLE TOMORROW AFTERNOON AFTER 19Z. COOLER AND DRIER CONDITIONS
TOMORROW NIGHT UNDER WESTERLY FLOW.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 812 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011/

DISCUSSION...LINE OF SEVERE TSTMS APPROACHES THE TENNESSEE RIVER...
SHOULD ENTER STEWART COUNTY AROUND 830 PM AND BENTON COUNTY AROUND
9 PM. LINE APPEARS TO HAVE WEAKENED A BIT AS IT MOVED INTO WEST TENNESSEE.
SPC HAS ALSO DOWNGRADED THE HIGH RISK AREA TO MODERATE RISK.
LATEST OHX SOUNDING SHOWS A BIT OF DRY AIR AROUND 700MB AND
A BIT OF AN INVERSION. THIS WOULD BE A NEGATIVE FACTOR TAMPING
DOWN THE SEVERE THREAT. CURRENT MOVEMENT WOULD BRING THE MAIN LINE INTO
DAVIDSON COUNTY AROUND 1030-1100 PM. WE EXPECT THIS LINE TO WEAKEN
FURTHER AS IT MOVES EASTWARD INTO THE PLATEAU LATE TONIGHT.

CURRENT PACKAGE LOOKS GOOD AND DO NOT ANTICIPATE CHANGES.

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 738 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011/

MESOSCALE UPDATE...EVENING SOUNDING FROM OHX IS IN, AND SHOWS AN
UNSTABLE, SHEARED, BUT SLIGHTLY DRY PRE-STORM ENVIRONMENT IN
PLACE. LIFTED INDEX IS STILL -6.9, BUT CAPE HAS DROPPED TO 2296
J/KG, AND K-INDEX IS 23. HELICITY IN THE 0-3 KM LAYER HAS
INCREASED TO 387. A COUPLE OF FEATURES, HOWEVER, STAND OUT THAT
MAY INHIBIT CONVECTION OVER MIDDLE TENNESSEE. FIRST, A SIZABLE
CAP EXISTS BETWEEN ABOUT 820 MB AND 700 MB. SECOND, THE LCL IS
NEARLY 4.8 KFT, INDICATING A DRY LOW-LEVEL ENVIRONMENT. STILL,
FULLY EXPECT LINE OF CONVECTION CURRENTLY OVER WEST TENNESSEE TO
PROGRESS DEEP INTO THE MID STATE, AND AM ALSO KEEPING AN EYE OUT
FOR CELL DEVELOPMENT AHEAD OF THE MAIN SQUALL LINE.

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 605 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011/

AVIATION...BNA/CSV...MAJOR WEATHER SYSTEM APPROACHING THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT THIS MOMENT, WITH MIDDLE TENNESSEE UNDER THE
GUN LATER THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. LINE OF CONVECTION (OR
DISCREET SUPERCELLS) WILL LIKELY REACH BNA AROUND 06Z, AND CSV
AROUND 12Z, AND HAVE INCLUDED TEMPO PERIODS BUILT AROUND THESE
TIMES. WINDS WILL REMAIN GUSTY OVERNIGHT AS THE SURFACE PRESSURE
GRADIENT INCREASES, AND WIND GUSTS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE
DRAMATICALLY UNDERNEATH THUNDERSTORMS AS 850 WINDS WILL INCREASE
TO AROUND 50 KTS AHEAD OF THE CONVECTION.

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 322 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011/

DISCUSSION...
AT MID AFTERNOON...TEMPS HAVE WARMED INTO THE MID 80S OVER W HALF
AND GENERALLY LOWER 80S E...WITH DEW POINTS IN THE MID TO UPPER
60S. SPC MESOANALYSIS SITE SHOWED SURFACE BASED CAPES HAVE RISEN
TO ABOVE 3000 JOULES PER KG OVER THE W THIRD OF OUR CWA...WITH MOST OF
THE HELICITY CONCENTRATED IN LOWEST 1 KM OF ATMOSPHERE...WHICH IS
ESPECIALLY GOOD FOR GENERATION OF TORNADIC STORMS.

ISOLATED STORMS HAD DEVELOPED NEAR AND OR JUST W OF THE TN RIVER IN
AN AREA OF MAXIMUM PRECIP EFFICIENCY AND PW VALUES. TORNADO WATCHES
WERE ISSUED EARLIER FOR AREAS JUST N OF...AND JUST W OF OUR CWA.

CONTINUED CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE REST OF THE
AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS. I WOULD EXPECT THAT A WATCH WILL BE
ISSUED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS THAT WILL INCLUDE AREAS OF WEST
MIDDLE TN. WE WILL SEE.

MESOSCALE MODELS INDICATE A ROUND OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL MOVE ACROSS
THE W AND CENTRAL PORTIONS OF OUR CWA BY ABOUT MIDNIGHT...THEN
WEAKEN AND CONTINUE MOVING E INTO THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU AREA.
THEN PERHAPS ANOTHER ROUND OF POTENTIAL SEVERE STORMS OVER THE
AREA ON THU.

A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE W PART OF OUR AREA EARLY THU
AFTERNOON...AND THEN TO THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU AREA THU NIGHT...
WHICH WILL BRING AN END TO ANY THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER.

OTHER THAN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE E
SECTION EARLY IN THE DAY ON FRI...WEAK HIGH PRESSURE MOVING INTO THE
AREA WILL RESULT IN DRY WEATHER ACROSS THE AREA BY FRI AFTERNOON.

RETURN FLOW AROUND THE HIGH FRI NIGHT INTO SAT MORNING...ALONG WITH
A WARM FRONT MOVING N ACROSS THE AREA WILL RESULT IN A LOW CHANCE OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. OTHERWISE...BUILDING HIGH PRESSURE OVER
THE SE...AND RIDGING DEVELOPING ALOFT WILL PROVIDE NOT ONLY A DRY
WEEKEND WITH RATHER WARM TEMPERATURES...BUT DRY WEATHER AND WARM
TEMPERATURES CONTINUING INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

A WEAK COLD FRONT MAY MOVE ACROSS THE AREA ON WED...BUT WITH HIGH
PRESSURE CONTINUING BOTH AT THE SURFACE AND ALOFT...IT LOOKS LIKE IT
WILL ONLY BE A WIND SHIFT LINE AT BEST. BUT THERE MAY BE ENOUGH
MOISTURE ASSOCIATED WITH IT TO GENERATE A FEW SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE ELEVATED TERRAIN OF THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU.

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

JLM

Hazardous weather outlook, May 25, 7:32 PM CST, 4 hours 28 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
832 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011

TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-270145-
STEWART-MONTGOMERY-ROBERTSON-SUMNER-MACON-CLAY-PICKETT-BENTON-
HOUSTON-HUMPHREYS-DICKSON-CHEATHAM-DAVIDSON-WILSON-TROUSDALE-
SMITH-JACKSON-PUTNAM-OVERTON-FENTRESS-PERRY-HICKMAN-LEWIS-
WILLIAMSON-MAURY-MARSHALL-RUTHERFORD-CANNON-DE KALB-WHITE-
CUMBERLAND-BEDFORD-COFFEE-WARREN-GRUNDY-VAN BUREN-WAYNE-LAWRENCE-
GILES-
832 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE STORMS ACROSS WESTERN TWO THIRDS
OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE. THIS INCLUDES NASHVILLE, COLUMBIA,
CLARKSVILLE, DOVER, AND CAMDEN. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE
STORMS ACROSS THE EASTERN ONE THIRD OF THE MID STATE, INCLUDING
COOKEVILLE, CROSSVILLE AND MANCHESTER IN THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU.

THE SEVERE THREAT WILL BE MAINLY LARGE HAIL, POWERFUL WINDS, AND
ISOLATED TORNADOES. THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE EASTWARD ACROSS
THE MID STATE THROUGHOUT THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. THE STORMS
WILL WEAKEN SLIGHTLY, BUT MAY STILL POSE A SIGNIFICANT SEVERE
WEATHER THREAT ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS COULD FLARE UP AGAIN ON THURSDAY, MAINLY EAST OF
INTERSTATE 65. LOCALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND HAIL ARE THE MAIN
CONCERNS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

REPORTS FROM TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

SPOTTER THUNDERSTORM REPORTING CRITERIA...
TORNADO
FUNNEL CLOUD
FLOODING
HAIL >= 1/2 INCH
WINDS > 50 MPH (MEASURED)
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE
TREES OR POWER LINES DOWN

JLM

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 25, 11:39 PM CST, 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1239 AM CDT THU MAY 26 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1000 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MCEWEN                  36.11N 87.64W
05/25/2011                   HUMPHREYS          TN   PUBLIC

            TREES DOWN WITH LINE OF STORMS COUNTYWIDE.

1000 PM     TSTM WND DMG     13 NW GALLATIN          36.51N 86.62W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN HWY 25 AND 71W.

1000 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CUMBERLAND CITY         36.38N 87.64W
05/25/2011                   STEWART            TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN.

1015 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CHARLOTTE               36.18N 87.35W
05/25/2011                   DICKSON            TN   PUBLIC

            TREES DOWN.

1025 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CLARKSVILLE             36.56N 87.35W
05/25/2011                   MONTGOMERY         TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY.

1030 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ASHLAND CITY            36.28N 87.06W
05/25/2011                   CHEATHAM           TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN NORTH OF CITY.

1035 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BURNS                   36.05N 87.31W
05/25/2011                   DICKSON            TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREE DOWN.

1045 PM     TSTM WND DMG     SPRINGFIELD             36.50N 86.88W
05/25/2011                   ROBERTSON          TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN IN SPRINGFIELD.

1046 PM     TSTM WND GST     FAIRVIEW                35.98N 87.12W
05/25/2011  M50.00 MPH       WILLIAMSON         TN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER MEASURED 50 MPH GUST.

1050 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CENTERVILLE             35.79N 87.45W
05/25/2011                   HICKMAN            TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN IN CITY.

1055 PM     TSTM WND DMG     13 NW GALLATIN          36.51N 86.62W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN HWY 25 AND 71W.

1112 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED IN PORTLAND BY EMS PERSONNEL.

1115 PM     TSTM WND GST     W HENDERSONVILLE        36.29N 86.60W
05/25/2011  E60.00 MPH       SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            60 MPH WIND GUST.

1116 PM     HAIL             HOHENWALD               35.55N 87.56W
05/25/2011  E0.50 INCH       LEWIS              TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN HOHENWALD.

1118 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 E LAWRENCEBURG        35.25N 87.30W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            POWER POLES DOWN JUST EAST OF LAWRENCEBURG.

1120 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES IN PORTLAND.

1120 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES IN PORTLAND.

1120 PM     DENSE FOG        PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            CC

1120 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES IN PORTLAND.

1122 PM     HAIL             LAWRENCEBURG            35.25N 87.34W
05/25/2011  E1.00 INCH       LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED NEAR LAWRENCEBURG.

1125 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES IN PORTLAND.

1125 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 E HOHENWALD           35.55N 87.54W
05/25/2011                   LEWIS              TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON CARS AND POWER OUTAGES. HOWARD SWITCH AND
            MEMORIAL ROAD INTERSECTION.

1130 PM     HAIL             5 S LAWRENCEBURG        35.17N 87.34W
05/25/2011  E0.50 INCH       LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN LEOMA.

1134 PM     TSTM WND DMG     8 NW ETHRIDGE           35.40N 87.40W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ON HOUSE.

1138 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     FRANKLIN                35.93N 86.84W
05/25/2011                   WILLIAMSON         TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED IN FRANKLIN.

1140 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MOUNT PLEASANT          35.55N 87.19W
05/25/2011                   MAURY              TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN BLOCKING HWY 43 NEAR CITY.

1140 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LAWRENCEBURG            35.25N 87.34W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN BLOCKING HWY 64 WEST

1140 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 SW LAWRENCEBURG       35.18N 87.41W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            MOBILE HOME TURNED OVER. PERSON TRAPPED INSIDE.

1142 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 NW LEBANON            36.25N 86.37W
05/25/2011  E50.00 MPH       WILSON             TN   NWS EMPLOYEE

            WIND GUST OF 50 MPH REPORTED NEAR LEBANON.

1150 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 S FRANKLIN            35.89N 86.84W
05/25/2011  M50.00 MPH       WILLIAMSON         TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            LEWISBURG PIKE/GREEN VALLEY COMMUNITY.

1150 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HENDERSONVILLE          36.29N 86.60W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN AND DAMAGE TO COMMERCIAL BUILDING. DOOR BLOWN
            IN.

1150 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 SW LAWRENCEBURG       35.18N 87.41W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            ROOF BLOWN OFF HOME IN GANDY COMMUNITY.

1200 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 E NASHVILLE           36.17N 86.77W
05/26/2011  E50.00 MPH       DAVIDSON           TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            NUMBEROUS REPORTS OF SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH
            ACROSS COUNTY.

1200 AM     TSTM WND DMG     6 N ETHRIDGE            35.41N 87.30W
05/26/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREE DOWN ON HOUSE. NEW PROSPECT COMMUNITY.

1200 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 E NASHVILLE           36.17N 86.77W
05/26/2011  E50.00 MPH       DAVIDSON           TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUST OF 50 MPH
            ACROSS COUNTY. PUBLIC REPORTED FUNNEL AT OLD HICKORY BLVD
            AND LEBANON PIKE INTERSECTION.

1210 AM     TSTM WND DMG     COLUMBIA                35.62N 87.05W
05/26/2011                   MAURY              TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON CARPORT. HWY 91 AND US 31.

1210 AM     FUNNEL CLOUD     MURFREESBORO            35.85N 86.39W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT.

1215 AM     HAIL             SHELBYVILLE             35.49N 86.45W
05/26/2011  E1.00 INCH       BEDFORD            TN   TRAINED SPOTTER

1220 AM     TSTM WND DMG     SMYRNA                  35.98N 86.52W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN PARTS OF SMYRNA
            AND LAVERGNE.

1220 AM     TSTM WND GST     MURFREESBORO            35.85N 86.39W
05/26/2011  E60.00 MPH       RUTHERFORD         TN   PUBLIC

1225 AM     TORNADO          2 W MURFREESBORO        35.85N 86.43W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            POSSIBLE TORNADO NEAR MURFREESBORO.

1231 AM     TSTM WND DMG     MURFREESBORO            35.85N 86.39W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            LARGE TREE DOWN AT BURNT KNOB ROAD AND BLACKMAN ROAD.

1231 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 NW LEBANON            36.25N 86.37W
05/26/2011  E60.00 MPH       WILSON             TN   NWS EMPLOYEE

            REPORTED THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST TO 60 MPH.

1236 AM     LIGHTNING        LAWRENCEBURG            35.25N 87.34W
05/26/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMS EMPLOYEE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

&&

31

Local storm report, May 25, 11:42 PM CST, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1242 AM CDT THU MAY 26 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1045 PM     TSTM WND DMG     SPRINGFIELD             36.50N 86.88W
05/25/2011                   ROBERTSON          TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN IN SPRINGFIELD.

1046 PM     TSTM WND GST     FAIRVIEW                35.98N 87.12W
05/25/2011  M50.00 MPH       WILLIAMSON         TN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER MEASURED 50 MPH GUST.

1050 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CENTERVILLE             35.79N 87.45W
05/25/2011                   HICKMAN            TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN IN CITY.

1055 PM     TSTM WND DMG     13 NW GALLATIN          36.51N 86.62W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN HWY 25 AND 71W.

1112 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED IN PORTLAND BY EMS PERSONNEL.

1115 PM     TSTM WND GST     W HENDERSONVILLE        36.29N 86.60W
05/25/2011  E60.00 MPH       SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            60 MPH WIND GUST.

1116 PM     HAIL             HOHENWALD               35.55N 87.56W
05/25/2011  E0.50 INCH       LEWIS              TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN HOHENWALD.

1118 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 E LAWRENCEBURG        35.25N 87.30W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            POWER POLES DOWN JUST EAST OF LAWRENCEBURG.

1120 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES IN PORTLAND.

1120 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES IN PORTLAND.

1120 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES IN PORTLAND.

1122 PM     HAIL             LAWRENCEBURG            35.25N 87.34W
05/25/2011  E1.00 INCH       LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED NEAR LAWRENCEBURG.

1125 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PORTLAND                36.59N 86.52W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES IN PORTLAND.

1125 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 E HOHENWALD           35.55N 87.54W
05/25/2011                   LEWIS              TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON CARS AND POWER OUTAGES. HOWARD SWITCH AND
            MEMORIAL ROAD INTERSECTION.

1130 PM     HAIL             5 S LAWRENCEBURG        35.17N 87.34W
05/25/2011  E0.50 INCH       LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN LEOMA.

1134 PM     TSTM WND DMG     8 NW ETHRIDGE           35.40N 87.40W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ON HOUSE.

1138 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     FRANKLIN                35.93N 86.84W
05/25/2011                   WILLIAMSON         TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED IN FRANKLIN.

1140 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LAWRENCEBURG            35.25N 87.34W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN BLOCKING HWY 64 WEST

1140 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 SW LAWRENCEBURG       35.18N 87.41W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            MOBILE HOME TURNED OVER. PERSON TRAPPED INSIDE.

1140 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MOUNT PLEASANT          35.55N 87.19W
05/25/2011                   MAURY              TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN BLOCKING HWY 43 NEAR CITY.

1142 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 NW LEBANON            36.25N 86.37W
05/25/2011  E50.00 MPH       WILSON             TN   NWS EMPLOYEE

            WIND GUST OF 50 MPH REPORTED NEAR LEBANON.

1150 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 S FRANKLIN            35.89N 86.84W
05/25/2011  M50.00 MPH       WILLIAMSON         TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            LEWISBURG PIKE/GREEN VALLEY COMMUNITY.

1150 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HENDERSONVILLE          36.29N 86.60W
05/25/2011                   SUMNER             TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN AND DAMAGE TO COMMERCIAL BUILDING. DOOR BLOWN
            IN.

1150 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 SW LAWRENCEBURG       35.18N 87.41W
05/25/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            ROOF BLOWN OFF HOME IN GANDY COMMUNITY.

1200 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 E NASHVILLE           36.17N 86.77W
05/26/2011  E50.00 MPH       DAVIDSON           TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUST OF 50 MPH
            ACROSS COUNTY. PUBLIC REPORTED FUNNEL AT OLD HICKORY BLVD
            AND LEBANON PIKE INTERSECTION.

1200 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 E NASHVILLE           36.17N 86.77W
05/26/2011  E50.00 MPH       DAVIDSON           TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            NUMBEROUS REPORTS OF SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH
            ACROSS COUNTY.

1200 AM     TSTM WND DMG     6 N ETHRIDGE            35.41N 87.30W
05/26/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREE DOWN ON HOUSE. NEW PROSPECT COMMUNITY.

1210 AM     TSTM WND DMG     COLUMBIA                35.62N 87.05W
05/26/2011                   MAURY              TN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON CARPORT. HWY 91 AND US 31.

1210 AM     FUNNEL CLOUD     MURFREESBORO            35.85N 86.39W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT.

1215 AM     HAIL             SHELBYVILLE             35.49N 86.45W
05/26/2011  E1.00 INCH       BEDFORD            TN   TRAINED SPOTTER

1220 AM     TSTM WND DMG     SMYRNA                  35.98N 86.52W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN PARTS OF SMYRNA
            AND LAVERGNE.

1220 AM     TSTM WND GST     MURFREESBORO            35.85N 86.39W
05/26/2011  E60.00 MPH       RUTHERFORD         TN   PUBLIC

1225 AM     TORNADO          2 W MURFREESBORO        35.85N 86.43W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            POSSIBLE TORNADO NEAR MURFREESBORO.

1231 AM     TSTM WND DMG     MURFREESBORO            35.85N 86.39W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            LARGE TREE DOWN AT BURNT KNOB ROAD AND BLACKMAN ROAD.

1231 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 NW LEBANON            36.25N 86.37W
05/26/2011  E60.00 MPH       WILSON             TN   NWS EMPLOYEE

            REPORTED THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST TO 60 MPH.

1236 AM     LIGHTNING        LAWRENCEBURG            35.25N 87.34W
05/26/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMS EMPLOYEE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

&&

JLM

Local storm report, May 25, 11:45 PM CST, 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1245 AM CDT THU MAY 26 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1230 AM     TSTM WND DMG     LAWRENCEBURG            35.25N 87.34W
05/26/2011                   LAWRENCE           TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            STATE ROUTE 20 IN NORTHERN PART OF COUNTY CLOSED. LARGE
            TREE ON POWER LINE.

&&

04

Local storm report, May 25, 11:47 PM CST, 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1247 AM CDT THU MAY 26 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1230 AM     HAIL             SMYRNA                  35.98N 86.52W
05/26/2011  E1.00 INCH       RUTHERFORD         TN   PUBLIC

&&

04

Local storm report, May 25, 11:52 PM CST, 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1252 AM CDT THU MAY 26 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1245 AM     TORNADO          2 SE MURFREESBORO       35.83N 86.37W
05/26/2011                   RUTHERFORD         TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            POSSIBLE TORNADO JUST SOUTHEAST OF MURFREESBORO. HOUSES
            DAMAGED. RESIDENTS TRAPPED INSIDE.

&&

JLM

Local storm report, May 25, 11:53 PM CST, 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1253 AM CDT THU MAY 26 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1250 AM     TSTM WND DMG     5 N MANCHESTER          35.54N 86.08W
05/26/2011                   COFFEE             TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN NORTHERN PART OF COUNTY...FREDONIA ROAD.

&&

04

The radar

The Nashville radar (KOHX), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:57 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Dekalb

When: May 26, 12:00 AM CST to 12:02 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 1.59 mi ESE of Smithville to 1.42 mi SSW of Phillippi
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.93 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.962, -85.824

A brief tornado occurred in Smithville. It severely damaged a gas station building but the canopy remained intact. It also damaged a nearby restaurant. Many trees were also snapped or uprooted. Specific details on how much damage occurred to the restaurant where unknown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rutherford

When: May 26, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Rutherford County, 1.37 mi S of Sandhill
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.011, -86.554

Power lines were reported downed at 121 Taylor Drive in La Vergne.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffee

When: May 26, 12:05 AM CST
Where: Coffee County, 0.87 mi NW of Manchester
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.488, -86.092

A large tree was blown down near intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and State Highway 53.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dekalb

When: May 26, 12:05 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 1.78 mi SW of Smithville Muni Arpt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.960, -85.820

Numerous trees and power lines were downed in several areas across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 26, 12:10 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 0.56 mi NW of Gainesboro
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.356, -85.657

Several trees were downed in Gainesboro and power was also knocked out.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: May 26, 12:15 AM CST
Where: Warren County, 0.69 mi N of Mc Minnville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.690, -85.780

Several trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When: May 26, 12:15 AM CST
Where: Putnam County, 0.66 mi S of Silver Pt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.090, -85.721

A tree was downed on Interstate 40 at mile marker 273.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When: May 26, 12:25 AM CST
Where: Putnam County, 1.39 mi WSW of Algood
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.189, -85.451

Several trees were reported downed near the intersection of Dry Valley Road and Maxwell Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When: May 26, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Putnam County, 2.07 mi S of Baxter
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.120, -85.632

Several trees were downed on Lillys Chapel Road. A roof was also blown off of a building. Specific details on what type of building had its roof blown off were unknown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cannon

When: May 26, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Cannon County, 2.82 mi ENE of Woodbury
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.838, -86.031

Several trees and power lines were downed near the intersection of State Highway 53 and Seals Hollow Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fentress

When: May 26, 1:03 AM CST
Where: Fentress County, 1.11 mi W of Jamestown
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.430, -84.940

Several trees and power lines were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffee

When: May 26, 7:55 AM CST
Where: Coffee County, 1.5 mi NNW of Manchester
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.501, -86.086

Multiple trees were uprooted or snapped on State Highway 53 north of Manchester.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: May 26, 8:23 AM CST
Where: Warren County, 0.61 mi ENE of Mc Minnville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.685, -85.771

Four trees were downed at the intersection of Spring Street and North Villa Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trousdale

When: May 26, 12:35 PM CST
Where: Trousdale County, 0.76 mi SSE of Hartsville
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.391, -86.163

Several trees were downed along West Main Street and at the county jail.

What these are

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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Tennessee, 2011 Warnings in Tennessee, May 2011

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: 313114, 313148, 313115, 313125, 313085, 313089, 313138, 313118, 313128, 313124, 313066, 313061, 313068, 313082.