Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, March 2, 2012

A recreational vehicle was blown over one mile west of Whitwell.

Quarter size hail was reported at Jasper.

Volunteer Electric reported multiple power lines down from fallen trees.

This tornado formed on the western bank of Nickajack Lake just north of Hales Bar Marina. The maximum wind was estimated at 100 mph. The tornado crossed the lake and snapped tree limbs and downed trees on the east shore of the lake, then dissipated before reaching US Highway 41.

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down six miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Harrison Tornado--Segment #1. This tornado was the strongest of the day in the southeastern U.S.--rated a strong EF3 with 165 MPH maximum winds. The tornado formed on a northward-extending peninsula in Lake Chickamauga, just north of the Booker T. Washington State Park. At this point, the tornado downed a few trees and caused some light structural damage.

The tornado then moved ENE and crossed Waconga Bay. On the east side of the bay the tornado smashed a very large marina--Island Cove Marina--causing $6,000,000 in damage. The tornado was a strong EF1 with about 110 mph winds. The tornado track so far was about 2 miles long.

The tornado continued to strengthen as it went on land, crossed State Highway 58 and quickly strengthed to EF2. Over the next two miles the path was a consistent EF2 to EF3 through several neighborhoods. The worst damage was found along Short Tail Springs Road, Woodland Bay Drive and Davis Mill Circle. The most intense damage was found near the intersection of Short Tail Springs Road and Woodland Bay Drive where many residences suffered EF3 damage with one residence wiped out. Across, to the south of Short Tail Springs Road, an entire forest of trees was downed.

By the time the tornado left this neighborhood it was mainly EF2, went across another couple of inlets of the lake, and emerged as an EF1 by the time it crossed Ooltewah-Georgetown Rd, (CR 1145). From here to the Bradley County line, the tornado continued to the ENE through rural areas oscillating between EF1 and low-end EF2 damage. The tornado continued into and across Bradley, northern Polk County, and into southern McMinn County. The total pathlength was 41 miles.

In Hamilton County, there were 30 injuries, including 6 serious injuries, but no fatalities. There were 80+ homes destroyed, 85+ homes with major damage with a total of 260+ with damage to about $20 Million. Damage to public infrastructure totaled $2.1 Million. Initial overall estimates exceeded $28 Million.

A Presidential Disaster was declared for this area. EMA officials were amazed there were no deaths after seeing the intensity at some locations.

Note: The tornado had two turns in Hamilton County--a slight left turn at 35.1367/-85.1121 and another slight left turn (even farther left) at 35.1585/-85.0352.

Several trees were reported down across the county.

Harrison Tornado - Segment #2. The Harrison Tornado entered western Bradley County near the saddlepoint along a ridgeline named Mahan Gap. It roughly followed Harrison Pike ENE for about 4 miles, until the highway turned off to the south. The tornado continued into the northern parts of the city of Cleveland and then across the remainder of the county into Polk County.

The tornado was near its strongest in the first mile or two into Bradley County where it downed vast swaths of trees along the highway. The maximum estimated winds were 130 MPH, making it a high EF2 at its peak. This area was very rugged with no houses near the county line.

Overall there were 46 houses that were damaged, included 5 destroyed, and 11 with major damage, as well as 41 other homes that were affected. Two businesses and three barns were destroyed. Overall monetary damages totaled $3.2 Million damage to homes, $640K to business, and $300K to Utilities, totaling to almost $4 Million. There were 7 injuries; all treated and released.

The last few miles in Bradley County the tornado weakened to EF1 and then to a minimal EF0 as it crossed the Hiwassee River into Polk County.

Note: this tornado had the following turns: slightly to the left at 35.2002/-84.8521 and sharper to the right (almost due east) at 35.2265/-84.8051, then continued to the county line.

Harrison Tornado - Segment #3. The Harrison Tornado struggled as it crossed the Hiwassee River from Bradley County as an EF0. It remained an EF0 for about the next 6 miles as it only downed a few sporatic trees and larger limbs. The tornado started to intensify again near Dentville Rd. and reached it's maximum strength of EF1 at 100 mph as it damaged a couple of single family houses on Columbus Rd., just north of Lindale Rd.

Along its path, 10 homes were damaged with a total estimate of $600K, 5 barns were destroyed with the total agricultural property losses totaling $800K. Total infrastructure damages were $50K. Grand total damages were nearly $1.5 Million. There were no injuries.

Note: This tornado took the following turns: entering the county moving almost due east along the Hiwassee River, then turning to the left near 35.2289/-84.6988, then turning to the right as it intensified near 35.2596/-84.6246. It continued on this track to the McMinn County line.

Harrison Tornado - Segment #4. The Harrison Tornado continued to intensify again as it crossed from Polk into McMinn County. It was an EF1 at 100 MPH when it crossed the county line but quickly elevated to an EF2, and reached its maximum strength only about 1 1/2 miles inside McMinn County as an EF2 at 130 MPH where it caused heavy damage to several rural homes.

The tornado then continued to the northeast slowly weakening, crossed U.S. Highway 411, then started to climb the terrain on the north end of Starr Mountain where it dissipated. This storm went on to produce another tornado in Monroe County.

In McMinn County 37 homes and mobile homes were damaged. Four homes and seven mobile homes were destroyed. Property damages totaled about $2 Million. There were 7 injuries.

This tornado ended in McMinn County, but crossed parts of four counties, had an over pathlength of 41 miles and caused 44 injuries.

Two trees were reported down in the northern part of the county in the vicinity of Sale Creek.

Quarter size hail was reported at Etowah.

Several trees were reported down across the county.

An EF-2 tornado touched down in Tellico Plains, leaving a path of destruction 14 miles long through downtown and crossed Hwy 360 to Ballplay Road, and into the Citico Wilderness area. Property damage to residential and commercial buildings was extensive (30 buildings), but, although there were 3 injuries, miraculously, there were no fatalities. One of the TDS buildings and the police department annex were destroyed. The cabins, main lodge and pavilion at the KOA Campground were leveled. Downed, broken, and uprooted trees cover hillsides and roadsides in the tornado's path.

A few trees were reported down in the vicinity of Dunlap.

Nickel size hail was reported at Pikeville.

Quarter size hail was reported near Lenoir City.

Volunteer Electric reported multiple power lines down due to fallen trees across the county.

Volunteer Electric reported multiple power lines down due to fallen trees across the county.

Multiple trees were reported down near highway 27.

Two trees were reported down in the northern part of the county.

Several trees were reported down across the county.

This tornado formed east of Dayton and moved to the east-northeast. It destroyed one shed, caused light to moderate damage to four barns, and knocked down several trees along its path through rural areas, south of Highway 30. The maximum wind was estimated at 80 mph.

Quarter size hail was reported in South Pittsburg.

Baseball size hail was reported approximately three miles southwest of Jasper. Windshields were shattered on several automobiles in the area.

A spotter reported golf-ball size hail at Grandview Medical Center near Jasper.

Golf ball size hail was reported in downtown Jellico.

Several trees were reported down near Dayton.

This tornado formed near the eastern shore of Nickajack Lake, just north of Hales Bar Marina and 1/4 mile south of the tornado path from 6 hours earlier. The winds were estimated up to 100 mph. Tree limbs were snapped and several trees were downed.

Dime size hail was reported in Niota.

A few trees were reported down on power lines.

Quarter size hail was reported at Red Bank.

Baseball size hail was reported in Chattanooga.

Tennis ball size hail was reported on highway 27 in Chattanooga.

Half dollar size hail was reported three miles west of Ooltewah.

Volunteer Electric reported multiple power lines down from fallen trees.

Quarter size hail was reported in Maryville.

Several trees were reported down eight miles east southeast of Benton.

Golf ball size hail was reported in Oneida.

Quarter size hail was reported near McDonald.

Half dollar size hail was reported near Waterville.

Golf ball size hail was reported in Jellico.

An EF-2 tornado with a maximum wind speed of 120 mph created a damage path 2.6 miles in length and 250 yards wide across the northern part of Harrogate. Along the tornado track, 5 homes were destroyed, 7 suffered major damage, and 17 had minor damage. Also, four residents were injured in the storm.

This tornado formed in Claiborne County, TN, then moved northeast into Lee County, VA. In Claiborne County, the tornado was rated as EF1 with maximum winds of 90 mph. It damaged 5 homes, with one home receiving major damage. It also downed numerous trees.

The combined tornado path for Claiborne and Lee Counties extended 4.9 miles.

Several trees down across the county.

Quarter size hail was reported in Oliver Springs.

The tornado occurred three miles north of Farragut and was rated an EF0 with maximum winds around 80 mph. The maximum path width of the tornado was 70 yards while the length of the damage path extended for about a third of a mile. A few trees were downed along the damage path.

Ping pong ball size hail was reported near Claxton.

Quarter size hail was reported in Clinton.

Several trees were reported down at Blaine.

An EF0 tornado with maximum winds of 80 mph and maximum width of 100 yards produced a damage track 2.1 miles in length three miles south of Mascot. Along the path, sporadic tree damage was noted. Also, a mobile home was pushed over on its side.

Numerous trees were reported down in the eastern half of the county.

Several trees were reported down in Newport.

Several trees were reported down in the vicinity of Cosby.

Several trees were reported down in Church Hill.

Two trees were reported down near Cagle.