Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Tennessee, November 5 to 6, 2018

Several trees were snapped and uprooted to the southeast and south along a narrow swath roughly 1.75 miles long from Kimmings Bridge Road to Arnold Road. This may have been a weak EF-0 tornado, but the damage along with radar data were too inconclusive.

A tree fell onto a car on Folgers Drive in Waynesboro.

Wayne County Emergency Manager estimated a 65 mph wind gust in downtown Waynesboro.

Trees were blown down in Fairview.

This EF-0 tornado touched down in forested areas west of the intersection of Swan Creek Road at Short Branch Road and moved northeast. The tornado destroyed a barn on Swan Creek Road and uprooted several trees as it continued east-northeast. Several hardwood and softwood trees were uprooted and two barns had sections of tin blown off on Totty Hollow Lane, but a mobile home at the same location received no damage. A few more trees were uprooted along Bond Road and Blue Buck Road before the tornado lifted north of Blue Buck Creek Road. The damage summary, beginning and ending location and times, and path length of this tornado were updated in July 2019 based on newly available high resolution satellite imagery in Google Earth.

Several trees were blown down in the Williamsport area.

This EF-0 tornado touched down just east of the Natchez Trace Parkway in an open field in extreme eastern Hickman County, then moved northeast where trees were damaged and uprooted along two fence lines. Several 2000 pound hay bales were rolled and stacked along one fence line. The tornado continued northeast across the Duck River and into Maury County briefly before moving back into Hickman County, where it crossed Highway 50 and peeled tin off of the front porch of a house. In addition, a large magnolia tree was uprooted along with several hardwood and softwood trees at the residence. The tornado then crossed the Natchez Trace Parkway again, knocking down numerous trees in farm fields before lifting in a field next to Johnson Branch. The total path length was 2.1 miles.

This EF-0 tornado touched down just east of the Natchez Trace Parkway in an open field in extreme eastern Hickman County, then moved northeast where trees were damaged and uprooted along two fence lines. Several 2000 pound hay bales were rolled and stacked along one fence line. The tornado continued northeast across the Duck River and into Maury County briefly before moving back into Hickman County, where it crossed Highway 50 and peeled tin off of the front porch of a house. In addition, a large magnolia tree was uprooted along with several hardwood and softwood trees at the residence. The tornado then crossed the Natchez Trace Parkway again, knocking down numerous trees in farm fields before lifting in a field next to Johnson Branch. The total path length was 2.1 miles.

Cheatham County 911 Center reported high water covered Little Marrowbone Road and Sams Creek Road southeast of Ashland City, with both roads closed.

This EF-0 tornado touched down just east of the Natchez Trace Parkway in an open field in extreme eastern Hickman County, then moved northeast where trees were damaged and uprooted along two fence lines. Several 2000 pound hay bales were rolled and stacked along one fence line. The tornado continued northeast across the Duck River and into Maury County briefly before moving back into Hickman County, where it crossed Highway 50 and peeled tin off of the front porch of a house. In addition, a large magnolia tree was uprooted along with several hardwood and softwood trees at the residence. The tornado then crossed the Natchez Trace Parkway again, knocking down numerous trees in farm fields before lifting in a field next to Johnson Branch. The total path length was 2.1 miles.

Several trees were snapped and uprooted north of Leatherwood Road west of Dry Prong Road. Based on radar data, this may have been a brief tornado touchdown, but damage was too inconclusive.

A tree was blown down on Fly Road in Santa Fe.

This is a continuation of a tornado that started in Lauderdale County, Alabama. The tornado crossed into Tennessee and caused EF0 damage, blowing down dozens of trees and causing minor roof damage to a home on May Branch Loop. As the tornado moved northeast, it uprooted many trees and ended up destroying an outbuilding and causing minor roof damage to a home on Middle Cypress Creek Road. Finally, it crossed George Olive Road, did some minor shingle damage to a home and rolled several large bales of hay through a field before lifting. The total path length of the tornado in Alabama and Tennessee was 6.48 miles. The path length of this tornado was extended slightly and the max wind speed increased to 85 mph in May 2020 based on newly available high resolution satellite imagery.

A 7.5 mile long by nearly 1 mile wide microburst struck areas from Thompson's Station northeastward through the far southern portions of Franklin. Several trees and large tree limbs were blown down near downtown Thompson's Station, including on School Street. A small amount of siding was also blown off a home on Channing Drive near I-840. Further northeast in the Southpoint subdivision near Highway 31 at West Harpeth Road, several trees were blown down on Jay Bee Court and Emerald Court, one home suffered minor shingle damage on Jay Bee Court, and a fence was blown down on Erin Lane. More trees were snapped and uprooted on Snowbird Hollow Road and along Green Valley Blvd. An NWS employee watched a 75-foot tall tree get blown down in his front yard on Stalcup Court. Further northeast, another tree was knocked down on St George's Way, and large branches were blown down on Beechlawn Drive. Winds were estimated up to 75 mph.

Trees were blown down on Goose Creek Bypass at McLemore Road in far southern Franklin.

This EF-1 tornado touched down on Bluff Road causing minor roof damage to a home and breaking several large limbs outside the home. A nearby barn was heavily damaged. It traveled to the northeast where it encountered an oversized mobile home. Indications were that the strapping on the mobile home was rusty and not tied down well, allowing it to roll over. Winds here did seem strongest, however, topping out at 90 mph. The resident of the mobile home was able to escape to safety as he received the warning a couple minutes prior to the tornado striking his home. The tornado continued northeast and when it crossed South Ball Park Road, it demolished 2 hay barns and caused minor roof damage to 2 homes. As the tornado approached the city of Loretto, it caused extensive damage to the city's sports complex behind South Lawrence Elementary. Three cinder block dugouts were destroyed, two large sections of bleachers were tossed 25 to 30 yards and there was minor roof damage to the concession stand and an outbuilding where maintenance equipment was stored. Special thanks to the South Lawrence Elementary staff for provding video evidence of the tornado as it moved through the area. As the tornado approached Hwy 43, several homes were damaged by uprooted trees and there was some minor roof damage to a large outbuilding at a wood yard on 2nd Avenue. The tornado finished up by taking down power lines on the west side of Highway 43 near Vine Street and blowing down a few trees on the east side of Highway 43 before lifting. This tornado path was adjusted and extended slightly in May 2020 due to newly available Google Earth high resolution satellite imagery.

A tree was blown down near the intersection of Pulaski Highway and Murphy Lane south of Columbia.

Trees were blown down across Moorsville Pike, closing the road.

Video from a trained spotter showed two feet of water from Whites Creek rushing across Knight Drive at Brook Manor Drive. A nursing home and other properties in the area were flooded.

Highway 31 (Louisville Highway) between Dickerson Pike and I-65 in Goodlettsville was flooded with at least one car submerged.

This EF-0 tornado touched down just east of Highway 98, damaging several chicken barns. It traveled northeast and crossed Hood Hollow Road, causing minor damage to one home and destroyed multiple outbuildings. The tornado tracked further to the northeast, snapped a few trees and several large pine tree limbs before crossing Bassham Road and lifting. This tornado path was adjusted and extended slightly in May 2020 based on newly available high resolution Google Earth satellite imagery.

A storm survey by a trained spotter indicated a 2 mile long by 500 yards wide swath of wind damage struck far eastern Williamson County near Triune. Several trees were snapped or uprooted in the area along Highway 96 at Hawkins Road and Old Murfreesboro Road. More trees were blown down near a private golf course between Highway 96 and Spanntown Road. More trees were knocked down on Spanntown Road west of New Castle Road, one of which fell across and blocked Spanntown Road, and one home in the area lost some shingles. Winds were estimated up to 65 mph. Based on radar data, this may have been a weak EF-0 tornado, but damage was too sparse and inconclusive.

Trees were blown down on Rocky Ford Road at Fly Road in Nolensville.

A NWS storm survey along with Google Earth high resolution satellite imagery determined a 3.34 mile long by 150 yard wide swath of wind damage occurred along a path from 2.4 miles southwest of Rover to 1.1 miles east-southeast of Rover. Several trees were blown down at the start of the path to the north of Virgil Beasley Road just east of the Marshall County line. A barn lost some sheet metal roof panels and several cedar trees were snapped on a farm on Blanton Road just north of Cedar Grove Road. Further to the east, at least 4 homes on Amy Lane just south of Coopertown Road suffered minor wind damage such as loss of a few shingles and siding. One shed was also overturned and several trees were blown down. A barn also lost part of its roof on Jack Taylor Road. Winds were estimated up to 70 mph. Based on radar data, this damage was likely caused by a brief EF-0 tornado, but the damage was considered too sparse and weak to be conclusive. The information on this damage was updated in July 2020 based on newly available high resolution satellite imagery.

The Christiana tornado first touched down in far northern Bedford County southwest of Kimmons Road at Longview Road, damaging an outbuilding and blowing down a few trees. This small but very intense tornado moved northeast and quickly increased in intensity to EF-2 as it approached the Bedford/Rutherford County line, severely damaging two homes on the south side of Kingdom Road/Midland Fosterville Road. The tornado then crossed the road into Rutherford County, where a small but well-built brick home had its roof blown off and brick walls blown in. One wall fell onto the homeowner causing minor injuries. Further to the northeast on Williams Road, one barn was heavily damaged and another completely destroyed. The narrow but strong EF-2 tornado continued northeast, carving a well-defined path through forests before striking a new 3000 square foot home on the west side of Midland Crescent Road. This large house, which was poorly attached to its cinder-block foundation, was lifted almost completely intact, flipped upside down, and rotated 90 degrees as it was blown to the north-northwest. One woman inside the home was killed. Numerous trees continued to be blown down further to the northeast across Jones Road. Upon reaching Rock Springs Midland Road, another home that was built in the 1800s took a direct hit from the tornado, losing its roof and all of the third story. The homeowners inside received the warning and took appropriate shelter on the lowest floor, escaping uninjured. Two silos and a barn just north of the home were de-roofed, and several nearby trees were blown down. Curving more to the east-northeast, two 70 foot-tall silos and two sheet metal barns located northwest of Rock Springs Midland Road at Gray Fox Drive were completely destroyed. Another smaller barn was destroyed and adjacent home received roof damage north of Eagle Creek Road. As the tornado crossed a northward bend in Rock Springs Road, a detached garage was completely destroyed while a home suffered minor roof damage. Further to the east, an outbuilding and mobile home were heavily damaged, with debris being blown up to 200 yards to the east. The tornado continued east-northeast, causing minor exterior damage to a home and damaging the roof of a barn. Approaching Rock Springs Midland Road, the tornado completely destroyed a small home on the south side of the roadway, with debris being blown in a cyclonic curved path 200 yards off to the east. The tornado finally weakened to EF-1 as it crossed Rock Springs Midland Road yet again, overturning an old, small mobile home on the north side of the road just west of Highway 231. Two women inside the mobile home were injured. The final damage occurred on Christiana Fosterville Road just one-quarter mile south of Christiana, where part of the roof of a barn was blown off and several trees were blown down. The total path length for this tornado in both Bedford and Rutherford Counties was 8.61 miles.

The Christiana tornado first touched down in far northern Bedford County southwest of Kimmons Road at Longview Road, damaging an outbuilding and blowing down a few trees. This small but very intense tornado moved northeast and quickly increased in intensity to EF-2 as it approached the Bedford/Rutherford County line, severely damaging two homes on the south side of Kingdom Road/Midland Fosterville Road. The tornado then crossed the road into Rutherford County, where a small but well-built brick home had its roof blown off and brick walls blown in. One wall fell onto the homeowner causing minor injuries. Further to the northeast on Williams Road, one barn was heavily damaged and another completely destroyed. The narrow but strong EF-2 tornado continued northeast, carving a well-defined path through forests before striking a new 3000 square foot home on the west side of Midland Crescent Road. This large house, which was poorly attached to its cinder-block foundation, was lifted almost completely intact, flipped upside down, and rotated 90 degrees as it was blown to the north-northwest. One woman inside the home was killed. Numerous trees continued to be blown down further to the northeast across Jones Road. Upon reaching Rock Springs Midland Road, another home that was built in the 1800s took a direct hit from the tornado, losing its roof and all of the third story. The homeowners inside received the warning and took appropriate shelter on the lowest floor, escaping uninjured. Two silos and a barn just north of the home were de-roofed, and several nearby trees were blown down. Curving more to the east-northeast, two 70 foot-tall silos and two sheet metal barns located northwest of Rock Springs Midland Road at Gray Fox Drive were completely destroyed. Another smaller barn was destroyed and adjacent home received roof damage north of Eagle Creek Road. As the tornado crossed a northward bend in Rock Springs Road, a detached garage was completely destroyed while a home suffered minor roof damage. Further to the east, an outbuilding and mobile home were heavily damaged, with debris being blown up to 200 yards to the east. The tornado continued east-northeast, causing minor exterior damage to a home and damaging the roof of a barn. Approaching Rock Springs Midland Road, the tornado completely destroyed a small home on the south side of the roadway, with debris being blown in a cyclonic curved path 200 yards off to the east. The tornado finally weakened to EF-1 as it crossed Rock Springs Midland Road yet again, overturning an old, small mobile home on the north side of the road just west of Highway 231. Two women inside the mobile home were injured. The tornado weakened further as it continued east of Highway 231 where part of the roof of a barn was blown off and several trees were blown down. A few more trees and outbuildings were damaged along Highway 269 and Christiana Lowe Road before the tornado lifted just east of Woodfin Road. The total path length for this tornado in both Bedford and Rutherford Counties was 10.49 miles. The end point and path of this tornado was extended by 2 miles further eastward in May 2020 due to newly available high resolution satellite imagery.

Several homes around 2825 Cliffside Drive received minor roof damage and some outbuildings were destroyed.

Lightning struck a house on Barley Drive causing a large fire in the attic and severe damage to the home.

This EF-1 tornado began southeast of Auburntown in northern Cannon County on Hurricane Creek Road. The tornado then traveled east-northeast up and down several different large hills and hollows causing sporadic damage to trees. The worst damage occurred on Dutton Hollow Road, where a carport and well-built taxidermy barn were completely destroyed, and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado then crossed into DeKalb County and caused additional tree damage on Highway 53. A house on Clear Fork Road sustained damage to the roof and wood siding, and the steeple on the nearby Cave Springs Missionary Baptist Church was damaged. After the tornado traveled through more hollows and hills causing additional tree damage, it finally lifted near Vandergriff Hollow Road. The total path length of the tornado across Cannon and De Kalb Counties was 8.82 miles.

This EF-1 tornado began southeast of Auburntown in northern Cannon County on Hurricane Creek Road. The tornado then traveled east-northeast up and down several different large hills and hollows causing sporadic damage to trees. The worst damage occurred on Dutton Hollow Road, where a carport and well-built taxidermy barn were completely destroyed, and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado then crossed into DeKalb County and caused additional tree damage on Highway 53. A house on Clear Fork Road sustained damage to the roof and wood siding, and the steeple on the nearby Cave Springs Missionary Baptist Church was damaged. After the tornado traveled through more hollows and hills causing additional tree damage, it finally lifted near Vandergriff Hollow Road. The total path length of the tornado across Cannon and De Kalb Counties was 8.82 miles.

Trees were blown down in the yard of a home at 2230 Old Snow Hill Road.

Although a NWS storm survey originally determined the damage path across Franklin, Coffee, and Grundy Counties to be one long-track tornado, high-resolution satellite imagery from NASA Sport and Google Earth in May 2019 clearly showed that the original track was actually two separate tornadoes. This major EF-2 tornado, which began in Franklin County near Tims Ford Lake, weakened considerably to EF-0 as it entered the extreme southeastern portion of Coffee County, with just a few trees blown down along Rutledge Hill Road. The worst damage was along Coker Road where a barn was destroyed, another barn suffered roof damage, and the front porch of a home was ripped off causing minor roof damage. After taking a sharp bend to the east, the tornado caused severe damage to an outbuilding on Boyd Road. Several outbuildings were destroyed and a house sustained roof damage when its front porch was ripped off. Numerous more trees were blown down further to the east on Rutledge Hill Road and along and onto I-24, which caused a multi-vehicle accident at mile marker 126. Another barn suffered roof damage on Sims Lane before the tornado moved into Grundy County. The tornado then intensified rapidly to EF-2 in extreme southwest Grundy County, with a nearly-finished brand new home almost completely destroyed on Conry Circle. Two nearby homes suffered significant roof and siding damage, and a barn lost nearly all of its roof. Debris from all of these buildings was blown up to 500 yards to the east and northeast. Further to the east, a mobile home on Frank Wilson Road was knocked off its piers into a garage. The tornado the tracked up and down a nearly 1600 foot tall ridge before reaching Homer White Road, heavily damaging two barns and destroying an outbuilding. Curving more to the northeast, the tornado ripped off the roof of a brick home on Highway 50. Luckily, the house occupants were taking shelter and were not injured. Two adjacent outbuildings were severely damaged, and other nearby homes and barns suffered minor damage. Debris from these buildings was blown up to 500 yards to the northeast. The tornado continued to cause a wide swath of wind damage to trees and buildings along Highway 50 before crossing Schoolhouse Hollow and Nunley Hollow and climbing nearly 1000 feet in elevation onto the Cumberland Plateau. Google Earth and NASA Sport satellite imagery showed hundreds of trees continued to be blown down off to the east as the tornado crossed Highway 108, Eagle Lake Road, and passed along the west side of Eagle Lake before finally lifting just north of Eagle Lake. Total path length of this tornado across Franklin County, southeast Coffee County, into central Grundy County was 29.50 miles. Winds were estimated up to 115 mph.

This EF-0 tornado touched down on Josh Brown Road and Betty Lane where it snapped trees and broke several large branches. As it moved east it destroyed a barn on South Bunker Hill Road and overturned containers and a trailer at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport. The KSRB AWOS located at the southwest end of the airport measured a northwest wind gust of 53 mph as the tornado passed just southeast of the weather station. Across Hwy 111 there was damage to an outbuildings metal roof and large branches broken. The path concluded on Post Oak Bridge Road where a tree fell onto a barn and large branches were snapped off trees.

Although a NWS storm survey originally determined the damage path across Franklin, Coffee, and Grundy Counties to be one long-track tornado, high-resolution satellite imagery from NASA Sport and Google Earth in May 2019 clearly showed that the original track was actually two separate tornadoes. This major EF-2 tornado, which began in Franklin County near Tims Ford Lake, weakened considerably to EF-0 as it entered the extreme southeastern portion of Coffee County, with just a few trees blown down along Rutledge Hill Road. The worst damage was along Coker Road where a barn was destroyed, another barn suffered roof damage, and the front porch of a home was ripped off causing minor roof damage. After taking a sharp bend to the east, the tornado caused severe damage to an outbuilding on Boyd Road. Several outbuildings were destroyed and a house sustained roof damage when its front porch was ripped off. Numerous more trees were blown down further to the east on Rutledge Hill Road and along and onto I-24, which caused a multi-vehicle accident at mile marker 126. Another barn suffered roof damage on Sims Lane before the tornado moved into Grundy County. The tornado then intensified rapidly to EF-2 in extreme southwest Grundy County, with a nearly-finished brand new home almost completely destroyed on Conry Circle. Two nearby homes suffered significant roof and siding damage, and a barn lost nearly all of its roof. Debris from all of these buildings was blown up to 500 yards to the east and northeast. Further to the east, a mobile home on Frank Wilson Road was knocked off its piers into a garage. The tornado the tracked up and down a nearly 1600 foot tall ridge before reaching Homer White Road, heavily damaging two barns and destroying an outbuilding. Curving more to the northeast, the tornado ripped off the roof of a brick home on Highway 50. Luckily, the house occupants were taking shelter and were not injured. Two adjacent outbuildings were severely damaged, and other nearby homes and barns suffered minor damage. Debris from these buildings was blown up to 500 yards to the northeast. The tornado continued to cause a wide swath of wind damage to trees and buildings along Highway 50 before crossing Schoolhouse Hollow and Nunley Hollow and climbing nearly 1000 feet in elevation onto the Cumberland Plateau. Google Earth and NASA Sport satellite imagery showed hundreds of trees continued to be blown down off to the east as the tornado crossed Highway 108, Eagle Lake Road, and passed along the west side of Eagle Lake before finally lifting just north of Eagle Lake. Total path length of this tornado across Franklin County, southeast Coffee County, and into central Grundy County was 29.50 miles. Winds were estimated up to 115 mph.

Although a NWS storm survey originally determined the damage path across Franklin, Coffee, and Grundy Counties to be one long-track tornado, high-resolution satellite imagery from NASA Sport and Google Earth in May 2019 clearly showed that the original track was actually made up of two separate tornadoes. This large, strong EF-1 tornado touched down in a forested area with no road access about 1 mile northeast of the Highway 108 and Highway 50 intersection, which was also around 1 mile north of the previous tornado as it was weakening and occluding. Satellite imagery showed thousands of trees were blown down in large convergent swaths along a trochoidal loop-type track as the tornado passed 2 miles south of Altamont. The tornado continued snapping and uprooting hundreds of trees it crossed Highway 56, Colony Road, and 20th Avenue North, with some trees falling onto and damaging homes, and others blocking area roadways. A carport was also blown over on Reeves Road. Once again tracking through uninhabited forests, the tornado continued to blow down hundreds more trees for several miles, eventually crossing Stage Coach Road and Lovell Road. The tornado dissipated into a large downburst as it crossed Highway 399 into Sequatchie County. Winds were estimated up to 110 mph.

Facebook reports and photos indicate a swath of wind damage, likely from the rear flank downdraft of the EF-2 tornado passing off to the north, snapped and uprooted dozens of trees on the west side of Eagle Lake along Eagle Lake Road north of Highway 108.

High resolution satellite imagery from Google Earth in May 2019 determined a severe downburst struck the Savage Gulf State Natural Area near the Sequatchie County line, then continued eastward into Sequatchie County. Hundreds of trees were blown down along a 2 mile long by 500 yards wide path in this forested area with no road access. Based on the damage, this may have been a third tornado developing north of the previous tornado as it dissipated in extreme eastern Grundy County. Winds were estimated up to 100 mph.

A NWS storm survey along with high resolution satellite imagery from Google Earth in May 2019 determined the second Grundy County tornado dissipated into a large, severe downburst near the Grundy/Sequatchie County line. Dozens of trees were blown down along and south of Highway 399 in extreme eastern Grundy County, with damage then continuing northeastward into Sequatchie County. Winds were estimated up to 100 mph.