Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Tennessee, August 31, 2017

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Tennessee, August 31, 2017
Start: 2017-08-31T15:19
End: 2017-08-31T23:59
Location: Tennessee

August 31, 2017 · NWS OHX · 13 events in 8 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: $117,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 13

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.

One week after Hurricane Harvey made landfall along the middle Texas coast, a weakened but still intense Tropical Depression Harvey moved across Middle Tennessee from Thursday August 31, 2017 into Friday September 1, 2017. Supercells rotating around Harvey spawned four weak tornadoes in Davidson, Maury, and Perry Counties. In addition, strong northeast winds up to 50 mph associated with the circulation of Harvey brought down numerous trees and power lines in areas along and west of I-65, knocking out power to thousands of residents. Finally, the heavy rainbands of Harvey produced 8-10 of rain in some areas, leading to major flash flooding of homes and roads. The flash flooding along with the strong winds continued into the morning hours on September 1.

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 Aug 31, 11:42 AM CST, 3 hours 37 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 31, 11:42 AM CST, 3 hours 37 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Nashville TN
1242 PM CDT Thu Aug 31 2017

.UPDATE...
FOR 18Z AVIATION DISCUSSION.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

At mid morning, the center of Tropical Depression Harvey was over
the northeast corner of LA. The heaviest rainfall was occurring
up across eastern AR. A relative dry slot was noted on the east
side, from eastern AL and western MS up into West and Mid TN. Mid
TN radar showed just scattered showers at this time.

For the near term update, we look for just scattered showers to
continue through midday. For this afternoon, as the low center
moves into northwest AL, a large shield of rain and embedded
thunder will spread across our southwest counties, and as far
northeast as Nashville by 6 PM CDT.

The increased shear, particularly at low levels, will bring the
potential for very isolated tornadoes on the east side of the
low, with the greatest risk over our southern counties late this
afternoon and evening.

We still look for the heaviest rainfall tonight into Friday
morning, especially for our northwest counties, where more than 6
inches of rain is likely. However, a quick look at latest model
data suggests we may need to expand the FFA slightly to cover
other areas where several inches of rain could fall. Look for
the FFA update within the next hour.

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAF DISCUSSION.

BNA/MQY/CKV/CSV...Surface low from west central MS will move to
near BNA over the next 24 hours. Widespread showers and isolated
thunder will accompany the low. The area of heaviest rainfall will
impact CKV and BNA overnight.

Through 21Z, look for just scattered showers or isolated thunder.
E wind will be increasing to 10-15KT. 21Z-09Z, showers will
become widespread with scattered thunderstorms. Expect mainly MVFR
with episodes of IFR in the heavier showers. ESE winds will
become gusty to 25KT. By 09Z, the heaviest rainfall will be
focused over CKV, with scattered to broken rainfall elsewhere.
Varying IFR/VFR will be common.

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flash Flood Watch through Friday evening FOR Cannon-Cheatham-
Clay-Davidson-De Kalb-Dickson-Hickman-Houston-Humphreys-Jackson-
Lawrence-Lewis-Macon-Maury-Montgomery-Overton-Perry-Pickett-
Putnam-Robertson-Rutherford-Smith-Stewart-Sumner-Trousdale-Wayne-
Williamson-Wilson.

&&

DISCUSSION......13
AVIATION........13

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 31, 10:47 AM CST, 4 hours 32 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Nashville TN
1147 AM CDT Thu Aug 31 2017

TNZ005>011-023>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-011000-
Stewart-Montgomery-Robertson-Sumner-Macon-Clay-Pickett-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-
1147 AM CDT Thu Aug 31 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Middle
Tennessee.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for most of Middle Tennessee.
Locations across the higher elevations of the Upper Cumberland
Region, southern portions of the Cumberland Plateau Region, and
far southern counties across central and eastern portions of the
mid state are not within this watch area currently.

There is a slight risk of severe storms for counties near the
Tennessee/Alabama border this afternoon through early this
evening. There is a marginal risk of severe storms for locations
around the I-40 corridor and southward up to the above mentioned
slight risk area for this afternoon through early this evening.
With any severe storms that do occur, the formation of isolated
tornadoes will be the primary threat.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Heavy rain will persist through Friday as Tropical Depression
Harvey moves across Middle Tennessee. Forecast rainfall amounts
from today through Friday afternoon range from up to 1 inch along
the Cumberland Plateau, to 3 to 5 inches across the Nashville
Metro Area, to 6 to 8 inches around Clarksville and Land-between-
the-Lakes.

Also, areas generally east of I-65 remain under a marginal risk of
severe storms on Friday, with isolated tornadoes once again being
the primary threat.

Winds will increase across most of Middle Tennessee tonight and
Friday as the center of Harvey tracks across the mid state.
Sustained speeds of 10 to 20 mph will be common, with gusts of
30 mph or greater in many areas, is expected.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon through Friday
afternoon for severe storms and possible flooding.

Spotter Thunderstorm Reporting Criteria
Tornado
Funnel Cloud
Flooding
Hail >= 1/2 INCH
Winds > 50 MPH (Measured)
Structural Damage
Trees or Power Lines Down

31

The radar

The Nashville radar (KOHX), 131 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:17 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 flash flood, 4 tornado, 3 strong wind, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Perry

When: August 31, 3:19 PM CST to 3:20 PM CST
Where: Perry County, 4.95 mi E of Sugar Hill to 4.75 mi E of Sugar Hill
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.25 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.540, -87.733

A brief, weak EF0 tornado associated with Tropical Depression Harvey touched down on Cotton Branch Road in rural southeast Perry County and moved northwest. The porch and much of the metal roof was blown off a home and several trees were blown down.

Tornado, Maury

When: August 31, 4:11 PM CST to 4:20 PM CST
Where: Maury County, 1.42 mi W of Arrow to 1.72 mi WNW of Needmore
Rating: EF0
Path length: 3.42 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.518, -87.225

A multiple vortex EF-0 tornado associated with Tropical Depression Harvey touched down just southwest of Mt. Pleasant and traveled to the northwest for about 3.5 miles. This tornado was captured on video by several residents, and was on the ground intermittently for up to 10 minutes. Several trees were uprooted and many large tree limbs snapped on Webb Williams Road and Highway 166. Sheet metal was blown off several farm outbuildings at Gillian Farms on Highway 166 at Old Gibson Hollow Road, and sheet metal was peeled off the large porch of a home at 1586 Highway 66. Maximum winds were estimated up to 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When: August 31, 4:58 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.98 mi WNW of Inglewood
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.228, -86.745

A Facebook photo showed a tree and power line were blown down into the roadways on Maple Place in east Nashville.

Flash Flood, Davidson

When: August 31, 6:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.74 mi WNW of Forest Grove to 1.57 mi SSW of Newsom
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.374, -86.892

Major flash flooding affected the western two-thirds of Davidson County, with the worst flooding occurring in northwest Davidson County. Numerous homes were flooded in the Whites Creek area with many water rescues conducted. Several roads were also flooded in Whites Creek including Lickton Pike and Knight Road. Other roads were flooded and closed in parts of Nashville with several vehicles submerged and water rescues conducted, including at Vantage Way and Rosa Parks Blvd, Murfreesboro Pike north of Briley Parkway, Rolland Road, and Interstate 40 eastbound at Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd. where 5 cars stalled in the high water. Flooding continued into the early morning hours on September 1.

Strong Wind, Davidson

When: August 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Davidson forecast zone
Measured: 41 kt (47 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.171, -86.777 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Gusty northeast winds up to 50 mph associated with Tropical Depression Harvey affected Davidson County during the evening on August 31. A peak wind gust of 47 mph was measured at the Nashville International Airport ASOS at 1020 PM CDT, and a peak wind gust of 45 mph was measured at John C. Tune Airport AWOS at 1035 PM CDT. Several trees and power lines were blown down across the county causing scattered power outages. A Facebook photo showed a tree fell onto a car on East Trinity Lane in Inglewood causing damage to the vehicle.

Strong Wind, Dickson

When: August 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Dickson forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.149, -87.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Gusty northeast winds up to 50 mph associated with Tropical Depression Harvey affected Dickson County during the evening on August 31. Several trees and power lines were blown down across the county with scattered power outages.

Flash Flood, Hickman

When: August 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hickman County, 0.2 mi ESE of Chartersville to 3.7 mi NNE of Tidwell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 35.719, -87.267

Facebook and Twitter reports indicated flash flooding affected parts of eastern Hickman County. Flood waters covered Hoovers Road at Dunlap Road in the Shady Grove community.

Flash Flood, Williamson

When: August 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Williamson County, 2.27 mi NW of New Hope to 5.39 mi SW of Lampley Store
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.044, -87.178

Flash flooding affected much of western Williamson County. Several roads were flooded and closed, including Highway 100 at Glenhaven Drive, Chester Road, Cumberland Drive, Horn Tavern Drive, Sleepy Hollow Road, and Cox Pike in Fairview; Lewisburg Pike in Franklin; and Granny White Pike in Brentwood.

Strong Wind, Sumner

When: August 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Sumner forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.469, -86.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Gusty northeast winds up to 50 mph associated with Tropical Depression Harvey affected western Sumner County during the evening on August 31. A Facebook photo showed a power pole was blown down on Elnora Drive in Hendersonville causing a widespread power outage in the area. Several other trees and power lines were blown down across the county with scattered power outages.

Flash Flood, Cheatham

When: August 31, 9:30 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Cheatham County, 3.37 mi SSW of Craggie Hope to 1.8 mi S of Pegram
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.056, -87.175

Flash flooding affected parts of southern Cheatham County. A few roads were flooded and closed around Kingston Springs including West Kingston Springs Road and Old Brush Creek Road.

Flash Flood, Maury

When: August 31, 10:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Maury County, 4.16 mi NNW of Water Vly to 2.01 mi N of Williamsport
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.827, -87.203

Flash flooding affected parts of western Maury County. Several roads were flooded and closed including Hay Hollow Road at Leipers Creek Road in Santa Fe, Terrapin Branch Road in Mount Pleasant, and Taylor Store Road in Hampshire.

Tornado, Davidson

When: August 31, 10:21 PM CST to 10:22 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.55 mi NNW of Bordeaux to 0.64 mi SE of Jordonia
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.62 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.207, -86.854

A brief EF-1 tornado associated with Tropical Depression Harvey touched down in the Bordeaux area of northwest Nashville and moved to the northwest for over one-half mile. The tornado snapped or uprooted nearly 100 large mature hardwood trees on Hydesdale Lane, Drakes Branch Road, Setters Road, Enchanted Drive, and Queens Lane. A small portion of the roof was blown off a home on Setters Road north of Drakes Branch Road, and the carport of a home was destroyed on Queens Lane. The worst damage was to a wood frame home at 133 Queens Lane where a large portion of the roof was blown off. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 95 mph.

Tornado, Davidson

When: August 31, 10:47 PM CST to 10:48 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.47 mi SSW of Nashville Cornelia F to 1.07 mi WSW of Nashville Cornelia F
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.94 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.160, -86.708

A brief, weak EF0 tornado touched down in southeast Nashville just north of Lebanon Pike near Omohundro Drive and moved north-northwest. Several trees were uprooted in all directions along Dahlia Drive and a small garage building was blown inwards. A few more trees were snapped and uprooted and a carport had minor sheet metal damage on Dahlia Circle. The most significant damage occurred at a warehouse on River Hills Drive where a large section of a wall was blown out and an 18 wheeler was flipped over. Several more trees were snapped along both sides of the Cumberland River and in the Shelby Bottoms Park before the tornado lifted.

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.
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.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Tennessee, 2017 Warnings in Tennessee, August 2017

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: 719849, 719850, 719851, 719894, 719885, 719886, 719895, 719896, 719901, 719897, 719900, 719854, 719856.