Tornado and Flash Flooding in Tennessee, September 17 to 18, 2012

Name: Tornado and Flash Flooding in Tennessee, September 17 to 18, 2012
Start: 2012-09-17T14:51
End: 2012-09-18T06:00
Location: Tennessee

September 17 to 18, 2012 · NWS OHX · 15 events in 10 counties and zones

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: $76,000
Crop damage: $9,000
Events: 15

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.

As an upper level low pressure system approached southern and eastern portions of Middle Tennessee during the afternoon through evening hours on Monday, September 17th, low level wind fields strengthened. Along with increased moisture and instability across these portions of the mid state also, severe thunderstorms developed, resulting in thunderstorm wind damage, along with several funnel cloud reports, including an EF0 tornado in Bedford County, impacting several counties in the mid state. Associated impacts of flash flooding events lasted even into the early morning hours on Tuesday, September 18th.

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 Sep 17, 2:19 PM CST, 32 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 17, 2:19 PM CST, 32 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
319 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2012

DISCUSSION...CONTINUING TO SEE DEEPENING LOWER PRESSURE ALONG THE
GULF COAST THIS AFTERNOON. CURRENTLY...THIS FEATURE IS VERY CLOSE
TO THE COASTLINE OF LOUISIANA. MEANWHILE...UPPER LEVEL TROUGH OVER
EASTERN TX WITH THE ASSOCIATED AXIS EXTENDING NORTH NORTHEASTWARD.
STRONG PVA WILL CONTINUE TO RESIDE ALONG THE NE TRACK OF THE SFC
LOW AND THIS WILL RESULT IN FURTHER STRENGTHENING THROUGH TONIGHT.

IN ADVANCE OF THE APPROACHING SFC LOW...AN AREA OF INCREASING
INSTABILITY IS MOVING NORTHWARD FROM MS AND AL. THIS WILL CONTINUE
TO ADD TO THE FLOOD THREAT WITH THE POTENTIAL OF FLASH FLOODING.
LATEST HRRR RUN SHOWS SCATTERED TO BROKEN HEAVIER SHOWERS AND TSTMS
OCCURRING ACROSS OUR SOUTHERN AREAS BETWEEN NOW AND THIS EVENING.
THEN...LATER TONIGHT...ANOTHER ROUND OF WIDESPREAD RAINFALL WILL
MOVE ACROSS THE AREA. THIS ONSLAUGHT OF WIDESPREAD RAINFALL WILL BE
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STRENGTHENING SFC LOW THAT WILL BE MOVING
CLOSER. IN FACT...THE SFC LOW SHOULD REACH MIDDLE TN AROUND OR
SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL SHOULD BEGIN
TO EXIT OUR PLATEAU AREA SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT.
HOWEVER...RAINFALL...THOUGH LIGHTER...SHOULD CONTINUE INTO TUESDAY
MORNING.

ADDITIONAL PREDICTED RAINFALL AMOUNTS FROM 4 PM THROUGH TONIGHT WILL
INCLUDE 3 TO 5 INCHES ALONG THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU...2 TO 3 INCHES
FOR THE CENTRAL THIRD OF THE MID STATE...AND AROUND 1 INCH ACROSS
THE WEST. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. THE
PRECIPITATION SHOULD TAPER OFF TO LIGHT RAIN AND/OR DRIZZLE AFTER
SUNRISE ON TUESDAY.

OTHERWISE...COOLER AND DRIER AIR WILL BEGIN MOVING IN BY TUESDAY
AFTERNOON. CLOUDS SHOULD BEGIN TO DECREASE BY AFTERNOON ACROSS
WESTERN AREAS. THE COOL SPELL WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY. AS THE
SFC HIGH REACHES MIDDLE TN ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
MORNING...OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES WILL FALL INTO THE 40S.

IN THE EXT FCST...A BRIEF WARMUP WILL OCCUR ON FRIDAY IN ADVANCE OF
THE NEXT FRONTAL SYSTEM. AFTER A 20-30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS FOR
FRI NT AND SATURDAY...IT WILL AGAIN TURN COOL WITH LOWS IN THE 40S
AND HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S FOR SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
NASHVILLE      63  70  46  71 /  90  50  10  05
CLARKSVILLE    61  69  43  72 /  80  50  10  05
CROSSVILLE     62  69  46  67 / 100  80  10  10
COLUMBIA       64  71  46  72 /  90  50  10  05
LAWRENCEBURG   63  71  46  72 /  90  60  10  05
WAVERLY        62  70  43  72 /  80  50  10  05

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FLOOD WATCH THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING FOR TNZ008>011-027>034-
058>066-075-077>080-093>095.

&&

21

Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 17, 1:20 PM CST, 1 hour 31 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
220 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2012

TNZ008>011-027>034-058>066-075-077>080-093>095-181030-
SUMNER-MACON-CLAY-PICKETT-DAVIDSON-WILSON-TROUSDALE-SMITH-JACKSON-
PUTNAM-OVERTON-FENTRESS-LEWIS-WILLIAMSON-MAURY-MARSHALL-
RUTHERFORD-CANNON-DE KALB-WHITE-CUMBERLAND-BEDFORD-COFFEE-WARREN-
GRUNDY-VAN BUREN-WAYNE-LAWRENCE-GILES-
220 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2012

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE ACROSS MIDDLE TENNESSEE TODAY INTO
TONIGHT...WITH WIDESPREAD RAIN AND ISOLATED TO SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS SPREADING ACROSS THE AREA AND BECOMING HEAVY AT TIMES.
RAINFALL TOTALS ARE EXPECTED TO RANGE FROM 2 TO 4 INCHES ALONG THE
I-65 CORRIDOR...UP TO 3 TO 5 INCHES OVER EASTERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
AND THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU. LOCALLY HIGHER RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE
POSSIBLE.

ADDITIONALLY...ENOUGH AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING INSTABILITY MAY
MOVE INTO SOUTHERN MIDDLE TN THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. AS A
RESULT...THERE IS A SLIGHT POTENTIAL FOR STRONGER TO SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP. WITH THE STRONGER STORMS...FLASH
FLOODING...WHICH IS FLOODING THAT CAN OCCUR VERY RAPIDLY...WILL BE A
POSSIBILITY AS WELL.

OTHERWISE...FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS AND TYPICALLY FLOOD PRONE
AREAS IS LIKELY IN THE WATCH AREA. ALTHOUGH DRY SOIL CONDITIONS AND
LOW RIVER LEVELS MAY HELP REDUCE THE THREAT OF WIDESPREAD
FLOODING...LOCALIZED FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT WEATHER.GOV OR
BY LISTENING TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO REPORT HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
IN NASHVILLE.

TNZ005>007-022>026-056-057-181030-
STEWART-MONTGOMERY-ROBERTSON-BENTON-HOUSTON-HUMPHREYS-DICKSON-
CHEATHAM-PERRY-HICKMAN-
220 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE MOVING ACROSS MIDDLE TENNESSEE WILL BRING
WIDESPREAD RAIN AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO
2 INCHES ARE EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO REPORT HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
IN NASHVILLE.

21

The radar

The Nashville radar (KOHX), 40 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:52 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 flash flood, 4 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Rutherford

When: September 17, 2:51 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: Rutherford County, 2.51 mi NNW of Murfreesboro Arpt to 2.22 mi NNW of Murfreesboro Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.911, -86.403

Flooding occurred at the Seigels Midlle School Campus near Seigel Road in Murfreesboro. Specific details concerning any damage that occurred to the campus along with associated costs were unknown. As of 17:34, 3.2 inches a total rainfall was measured near the intersection of Northfield Boulevard and Highland Ridge Road in Murfreesboro. |As of 17:54, a total rainfall amount of 4.79 inches of rainfall was measured in Murfreesboro at the WTVF Skynet gauge.

Tornado, Bedford

When: September 17, 3:02 PM CST to 3:03 PM CST
Where: Bedford County, 2.47 mi SSW of Haley to 1.88 mi SSW of Haley
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.65 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.447, -86.337

An EF0 tornado with an estimated peak wind speed of 80 mph touched down at a residence along U.S. Highway 41A approximately 1/2 mile east of the U.S. Highway 41A and Normandy Road intersection. Dozens of trees were snapped and uprooted at this location and the residence suffered roof damage with many shingles blown off. The tornado then crossed U.S. Highway 41A and Shofner Road before lifting.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bedford

When: September 17, 3:15 PM CST
Where: Bedford County, 0.06 mi S of Cortner
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.469, -86.280

Telephone poles were blown down in Cortner.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: September 17, 3:20 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.03 mi NE of Bethany
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.708, -85.855

Several trees and power lines were downed near the intersection of Bethany Road and Nashville Highway west of McMinnville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffee

When: September 17, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Coffee County, 0.26 mi NW of Calhoun
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.533, -86.173

A tree was downed on 16th Model Road.

Flash Flood, Bedford

When: September 17, 3:25 PM CST to September 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Bedford County, 1.22 mi SW of Gray to 1.04 mi SW of Gray
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.486, -86.433

One foot of standing water occurred on Davis Lane in Shelbyville. 5.03 inches of total rainfall accumulation was recorded by a CoCoRaHS observer near Wartrace.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffee

When: September 17, 3:28 PM CST
Where: Coffee County, 1.69 mi NNE of Noah
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.592, -86.186

A tree was downed on Cole Ridge Road north of Manchester.

Funnel Cloud, Coffee

When: September 17, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Coffee County, 0.79 mi SSE of Gnat Hill
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.609, -86.145

A funnel cloud was spotted near Goose Pond Road and Fredonia Road north of Manchester.

Flash Flood, Giles

When: September 17, 4:27 PM CST to September 18, 5:20 AM CST
Where: Giles County, 0.49 mi W of Minor Hill to 0.95 mi NW of Minor Hill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.050, -87.159

Total rainfall accumulation of 5.11 inches was reported in Minor Hill. This rainfall amount resulted in a threat to life and property in Minor Hill. 5.06 inches of total rainfall accumulation was also reported by a CoCoRaHs observer near Anthony Hill.

Flash Flood, Bedford

When: September 17, 5:00 PM CST to September 18, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Bedford County, 35.41 mi NE of Beechwood to 34.76 mi NE of Beechwood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.962, -85.799

Several flooded areas occurred in Smithville including locations near Broad Street, Bright Hill Street, and Greenbrook Park.

Flash Flood, Grundy

When: September 17, 5:15 PM CST to September 18, 5:40 AM CST
Where: Grundy County, 0.8 mi ESE of Laager to 0.93 mi SE of Laager
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.376, -85.607

Total event rainfall accumulation of 6.14 inches was measured just southeast of Laager. Rainfall of this amount posed a threat to life in property in this area.

Flash Flood, Overton

When: September 17, 5:54 PM CST to 9:15 PM CST
Where: Overton County, 0.88 mi WSW of Livingston to 1.18 mi W of Livingston Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.374, -85.334

Several roads around Livingston were closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Putnam

When: September 17, 6:04 PM CST to September 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Putnam County, 0.88 mi ENE of Holladay to 0.95 mi ENE of Holladay
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.154, -85.515

Mutiple vehicles were stranded in the Cookeville area, with water rescues ongoing. One of those swift water rescues took place at the intersection of South Willow Avenue and West Jackson Street in Cookeville. Water was several feet deep and West Jackson Street was closed. Several total rainfall accumulation amounts in excess of six inches were reported by CoCoRaHS and public observers, with the highest amount being 6.82 inches just southwest of Cookeville, along with a report of just greater than three inches falling within a three hour time frame in the Cookeville area also.

|Swift water rescues took place at the intersection of South Willow Avenue and West Jackson Street in Cookeville. Water was several feet deep and West Jackson Street was closed.

Flash Flood, Fentress

When: September 17, 6:12 PM CST to September 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Fentress County, 1.11 mi ESE of Riverton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.425, -85.061

Total rainfall accumulation of 6.69 inches reported just southeast of Riverton. This rainfall amount posed a threat to life in property in this area of the county.

Flash Flood, White

When: September 17, 8:02 PM CST to September 18, 12:00 AM CST
Where: White County, Key to Cassville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.050, -85.450

Several roads were flooded across the county including River Road, Hickory Valley Road, Bockman Way, Northern Spring Road, and Old Smithville Highway. Near the Sparta White County Airport, 6.35 inches of rainfall was measured by a CoCoRaHS observation site during this event. 5.41 inches of rainfall was measured by a CoCoRaHs observation site closer to downtown Sparta also.

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
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.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Tennessee, 2012 Warnings in Tennessee, September 2012

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: 411971, 409537, 409538, 409539, 409541, 412686, 409542, 409543, 413857, 412696, 413919, 412705, 411462, 413900, 411815.