Middle Tennessee Tornado Activity

How many Tornados occur in Middle Tennessee? and Where?

As of 2008, there have been about 500 tornadoes reported in the middle Tennessee region since the first tornado was recorded in 1833. This sounds like a huge number and way too many to never give another thought about moving here. But once you begin to really look at your odds of getting hit by a tornado, they do get better or worse as the case may be.

First off, that’s nearly a 200 year span which translates simply into the Middle Tennessee Region getting hit by about three tornadoes a year.
Still sound like it’s just too many to endure? Well then, just divide that number by the 30 some odd counties that encompasses the Mid-TN Region. Now you’re down to about 10% chance of a tornado hitting in your county.
You must also factor in that each tornado can travel through several different counties resulting in the same tornado being reported several times.

While most of the recorded tornadoes (about 40%), have been in the Metro Nashville Economic Area (10 counties), that’s to be expected as these areas are more populated than other Middle TN Counties so they will have more sightings.

Reported Tornadoes in MNEA (1833-2008)
38 - Rutherford
37 - Davidson
33 - Wilson
31 - Sumner
30 - Montgomery
24 - Maury
22 - Williamson
20 - Robertson
14 - Dickson
07 - Cheatham

Did You Know?
The worst outbreak of tornadoes in the region happened in April of 1974 when over 20 tornados touched down in one day, leaving hundreds injured and over two dozen dead.

More About Tornados in Tennessee:
Tennessee Tornado Season
Tennessee Tornado Alley & Dixie Alley
Middle Tennessee Tornado Activity
Tennessee Tornado Casualties
Tornado Watch Vs. Tornado Warning

NOAA Tennessee Tornado Totals from Local Meteorologist, Bobby Boyd.