Tornado Safety
Tornado Warnings - What You Should Do
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Tornados in Middle Tennessee
A tornado is destructive when it descends to earth, where its path may vary from 50 yards to one mile in width. Wind speed inside a tornado can exceed 300 mph. Most tornados have a forward speed of about 35 to 40 miles per hour, though some move very slowly and others may move along at over 60 mph.
There have been 13 major tornadoes in the Nashville/Davidson County area since 1974 and 10 tornadoes since 1994, and that includes three tornadoes in 1998 that caused major damage in several parts of the city. (Source: Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management)
In addition to these storms, on February 5, 2008, a series of storms damaged property southwest of Nashville and then passed through Davidson County. The storm did not generate any tornadoes in Davidson county, but a short time after passing through this county, the same storm did spawn tornadoes northeast of town. One of these tornados was nearly 3/4 of a mile wide with a 12-mile track; it killed 14 people in Macon County.
Be prepared - Tornado Season is March through May.
The most likely time for tornados to appear in Tennessee is March through May, but when conditions are right, tornados can appear at any time of the year. Take steps now to be prepared if a tornado strikes. Learn about the Watches and Warnings issued by the National Weather Service, the Vanderbilt Severe Weather Warning System, and the Vanderbilt Emergency Guide for Tornados, so that you can develop your personal severe weather plan for actions you will take in the event of a tornado emergency.
- Know where you plan to go if the sirens sound.
- Practice a "tornado drill" at least once a year.
- Use the buddy system to check in after an incident to keep others from worrying and have a pre-determined place to meet after an incident occurs.
- Make your friends and family aware of the potential for tornadoes in the area.
- Monitor local TV, radio or NOAA Weather Radio, and stay alert for severe weather Watches and Warnings.
See also the Emergency Guide for Tornados and the Severe Weather Safety Links for Tornado Safety.
Vanderbilt's Severe Weather Warning System
Emergency Guides for Severe Weather/ Lightning and Tornados