Summary of the May 11, 2003 Middle Tennessee Tornadoes

NWS Storm Survey of Davidson, Sumner, and Wilson Counties

The NWS has determined that a tornado struck Davidson, Sumner, and Wilson Counties early Sunday morning.

The Davidson County tornado started about 5.3 miles northeast of downtown Nashville near Riverwood Drive. The tornado crossed the Cumberland River and affected the Opryland area and dissipated around Bonnameade Road, or about 8.9 miles east-northeast of downtown Nashville. This tornado was rated as an F1 (winds around 90-100 mph). The path length was 4.5 miles and the path width was 100 yards.

This storm complex moved east and affected Mount Juliet in Wilson County. A tornado was spawned 2.2 miles northwest of Mount Juliet on Lebanon Pike. This tornado traveled along Lebanon Pike to 3.3 miles northeast of Mount Juliet. Many trees were blown down and a car wash was demolished. There was damage to roofs and business signs. The path length of this tornado was 3.6 miles and path width was 150 yards. This tornado was rated an F1 (winds around 90-100 mph).

The Sumner County tornado touched down 3.75 miles southwest of Gallatin and affected the southern portions of Gallatin. Many trees were blown down along with considerable roof damage to homes. This tornado was rated as a strong F1 (winds around 110 mph). The tornado dissipated 3.0 miles southeast of Gallatin. Path length of this tornado was 5.5 miles with a path width of a quarter of a mile.

The NWS apologizes for this late storm survey due to staffing limitations.

-- Derrel Martin, Michael Davis, Jerry Orchanian

NWS Storm Survey in Williamson and Rutherford Counties

The NWS has conducted a storm survey and has determined that there were 3 tornadoes that struck Williamson and Rutherford Counties early Sunday morning.

The strongest tornado was at Walterhill, in northern Rutherford County. A two-story brick home was leveled. It appears that this tornado was an F3 (around 200 mph) or stronger. The path length of this tornado was about one mile, with a path width of 400 yards.

Another tornado struck touched down 4 miles northwest of Franklin on Old Hillsboro Road and State Route 46. A two-story home, with a brick front and vinyl siding, was demolished. This tornado was rated as F3 (winds from 160-200 mph). Path length was about one mile along with a path width of 300 yards.

The tornado that hit near Franklin dropped down again and struck northeast Williamson County as an F1 (about 100 mph). Trees were uprooted and snapped at the intersection of Clovercroft Road and Burke Hollow Rd. The path length was about one half mile with a path width of 200 yards.

The storm complex that produced the tornadoes in Williamson County was the same storm that spawned a tornado at Walterhill.

The NWS would like to thank the Rutherford County and Williamson County EMA personnel for their assistance in the survey.

-- Jerry Orchanian and Michael Davis