The entire town of Statesville had severe downburst damage. Jeff Dunnivant, a tenant on Irby Scruggs' place and his family escaped from the wreckage of their home with only slight injuries, but not a fragment of anything was left to the family, except the night clothes in which they were sleeping. The two main outbreaks alone were responsible for at least 145 of these tornadoes. The storm struck the county line just opposite Perryville, and traveled a northeast course, passing about five miles to the north of Linden. It is reported that three white people are killed about two miles further down the trail of the cyclone, but this statement has not been authenticated. No fatalities have been reported as yet, but several are very painfully hurt. Mrs. Will Adcock and her daughter are reported killed, but not verified. Its course was about a half mile wide and lay from Cross Roads into Scott Co., between the farms of William Cummings and Laban Riseden, just escaping both the homesteads, but tearing up all the timber in the neighborhood and bearing on southward below Rugby, carrying away the home of Young John Brewster and crushing in his shoulder and injuring his wife. Here it blew away the barn in which Duff was sheltered at the time, breaking three of Duff's toes, but otherwise he was not injured. A. Hickerson a house barn, buggies and fences. Until late this afternoon it has been impossible to communicate with other towns throughout the country. The damage in town is slight compared with the country. I call upon all persons in this community who will contribute to this object to leave contributions at either of the banks. A family of tornadoes also affected later Hickman and Williamson Counties southwest of Nashville and later moved into Cookeville and Putnam Counties. One son, Oscar, was hit by falling timbers and considerably bruised. Henry Frate, colored, who lived on Finis Brown's farm, was so badly hurt that he may not recover. North of Memphis, Tennessee, two F3 tornadoes killed a total of 22 from Crittenden County, Arkansas, to Carroll County, Tennessee. The courthouse was unroofed, and sixteen of its beautiful shade trees uprooted. These pictures show the damage in Centerville in Hickman County where there were 9 deaths and 32 injuries. P. M. Greenwood had a small house blown away. Another family lost five or six members of its family, as well. SHAMBURGER (2016): Despite the complete destruction of the home in Humphreys County as reported by the Nashville American, the tornado was not included in Grazulis' book Significant Tornadoes 1600-1991. The tornado appears to have begun west of Aspen Hill in Giles County, not in Limestone County, Alabama, as Grazulis stated, then passed near Aspen Hill where it damaged homes and barns, through Conway where the school was destroyed, between Bunker Hill and Bryson, and through Bee Springs destroying numerous homes and the Bee Springs Church on Bee Springs Road about 1/3 mile south of Stevenson Road. That tornado alone caused an estimated $100 million in damage and the loss of 33 lives, which was only a fraction of the total damage caused by the Super Outbreak. It touched down during the dead of night between 10 and 11as it moved into Williamson County. One of the heaviest and hardest rains followed by a hail storm; hundreds of trees blown down and nearly all orchards ruined. SHAMBURGER (2016): This tornado was not included in Grazulis' book Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. The loss in timber alone in this section was placed at $100,000. It is seldom our mountain country has such a cyclone. Just a few rods east of the McGrew place stood the home of Bud Guffey. In addition to those killed outright many were more or less seriously injured. Miss Daisy Marshall received a few slight wounds. The old Henry Wade residence, a two-story frame buildings, was demolished, and also several cabins on the place. Fayetteville was not in the pathway of the cyclone, but was near it. The description of the tornado path by Grazulis does not match the reports in the Nashville American and Williamson Herald, which indicate the tornado passed around 1 mile south of Franklin, not north as Grazulis wrote, with heavy damage in Hillsboro, Southall, on Carter's Creek Pike, between Winstead Hill and the Battleground Academy on Columbia Pike, at the Historic Carenton Plantation, and on Lewisburg Pike. Four-year-old child of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Thompson, Totty's Bend. The storm extended over many states inflicting damage on widely scattered communities from the Great Lakes to the Gulf. Some North American outbreaks affecting the U.S. may only include tornado information from the U.S. The most frightful wreckage and loss of life occurred in the little valley through which passes the road from Bunker Hill to Bryson, and in which were located the homes of Bud Guffey, Will McGrew, Lee Smith, J. S. Bryson and others. 22 others lost their lives that fateful night across Middle Tennessee in tornadoes that struck Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Wilson, Grundy, and Fentress Counties. Track of Cyclone a Mile Wide and Vast Damage Done": MURFREESBORO, Tenn., April 30. Robert Barnes and wife, near Fayetteville. At Leiper's Fork, in Williamson County, a mother and three children were killed in their home. Elk River is higher than ever before. Prof. J. M. Coulson's residence destroyed and a number of other buildings greatly damaged. The home of Wilson Estes was also destroyed, together with the livery barn of Russell Estes, owner of Primm Springs Hotel. April 29, 1909 Tornado Outbreak Weather.gov> Nashville, TN> April 29, 1909 Tornado Outbreak Current Hazards Outlooks Submit a Storm Report Decision Support Hazardous Weather Outlook Detailed Hazards Local Storm Reports (Text) Local Storm Reports (Graphical) Severe Weather Mode Current Conditions Surface Observations Satellite Four people are known to be dead and two are missing, supposed to have been blown away as their home was demolished. The lightning flashed incessantly, and all evidences indicated that a great storm was raging in the neighboring sections. A horse owned by Rev. 63 people lost their lives, and more than 200 were injured from a total of 12 tornadoes. One negro family, Nancy Smith and two children lost their lives in the wreckage of their little home, and one of Till Bledsoe's children was killed. Nashville, TN500 Weather Station RoadOld Hickory, TN 37138615-754-8500Comments? Here is information to know, understand and remember; The annual average number of tornadoes reported in Tennessee grew from 11.3 for the 20-year period of 1980-1999 to 18.1 for 2000-2019. Dickson was left to the right of the storm's pathway, and fortunately little damage was done here. Tornado destroyed six homes at Moreland. Hardest-hit areas were in and around Pulaski, Bryson and Fayetteville. Therefore, the Franklin County damage (at least F2) and Grundy County damage (F1) were combined into this entry and added to the NWS Nashville tornado database. Many Nolensville residents said it was the worst storm to ever strike there -- even worse than the notorious cyclone of 1900, which had cut a path only a few hundred yards wide. The house of Mr. Harvey, near town, was turned bottom side up without serious injury to the occupants. The 77 killer tornadoes recorded in the year 1909 marked an all-time yearly record for the number of killer tornadoes, a total that was only equaled in the year 1917. FROM THE NASHVILLE AMERICAN, MAY 1 1909, PAGE 10: ALGOOD, Tenn., April 30 - At this place, four miles east of Cookeville, the Southern Methodist church was demolished. This massive tornado then passed into Lincoln County through the northern suburbs of Fayetteville before lifting northeast of Fayetteville. At Bee Springs, five members of a family were killed in one home, and seven in another family died in a nearby home. Damage:
Tennessee 225: Dive into the history of the Volunteer State. Rutherford County was visited last night by one of the most destructive storms of many years. From the foot of the mountain, near Wonder Cave, half way to the top, two-thirds of the large trees are down. The dwelling of Lon Dowell was unroofed, and the house of Will Hickman was blown fifty yards and caught fire and was consumed. All NOAA, (The following newspaper article was transcribed from The Pulaski Citizen of May 6, 1909.). His entire family was wiped out of existence. The homes of Mrs. John Brown and William McAdoo were blown down, and part of the home of B. M. Peebles was blown away. Did the tornado hit Gatlinburg Tennessee? Fortunately no one was killed, but several were wounded. Col. Pendergrass' residence was blown from its foundation. GRAZULIS: Twenty-three homes were destroyed, and a hotel and depot were unroofed at Decherd. Andy Beshear said Saturday. Parts of the planning mill were blown through F. H. White's residence, some 200 yards away, and Mrs. White was slightly injured and their house considerably damaged. But for the fact that the country is hilly and in places thinly settled the destruction would have been even greater. In all there were 12 tornadoes that caused 62 fatalities in Middle Tennessee. SHAMBURGER (2017): The path of this tornado, which touched down just south of where the Franklin tornado occluded near Clovercroft, was estimated to begin southwest of the Trinity Methodist Church southeast of Franklin. The Bee Springs tornado touched down in northernmost Limestone County, Alabama, before crossing the into Lincoln and Giles Counties in Tennessee. The total damage cannot be accurately stated, but it will go into the thousands of dollars in this section. The Weather Service has confirmed 66 tornadoes from Dec. 10 to 11 and 79 tornadoes Dec. 15. A latter report comes in from Hillsboro, a small place northwest of here that several people had been killed, however, this is not authentic. Others moved to towns like Elkton, which is the closest incorporated town to the area, Lancaster said. FROM THE NASHVILLE AMERICAN, MAY 1 1909, PAGE 12, "PERHAPS FATALLY HURT": McEWEN, Tenn., April 30. The missing are Mr. and Mrs. Bob Stevens, whose home was torn to pieces. A number of houses have been damaged by falling timber, one or two thrown off the foundations and one large two-story building completely demolished. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. The property loss cannot be estimated. The most frightful wreckage and loss of life occurred in the little valley through which passes the road from Bunker Hill to Bryson, and in which were located the homes of Bud Guffey, Will McGrew, Lee Smith, J. S. Bryson and others. One of the saddest stories took place at Leiper's Fork. The house of Judge Lewis was also destroyed and several other houses damaged beyond repair. Fayetteville, Tenn., April 30. (Bud) Hardy, Mrs. Louie Gordon, who was living with her mother, Mrs. Eliza Wilkinson, was cut and bruised about the face and arm. The creeks are out of banks and all the farm work of the spring is practically lost. As the storm moved eastward, it cut a path into the Southall community, causing major damage and dealing additional death blows. FROM THE NASHVILLE AMERICAN, MAY 2 1909, PAGE 5, "PERRY COUNTY": LINDEN, Tenn., May 1. It is thought that the dead and injured list will be increased by further reports. Ed Ragland's house was blown from its foundation. But several hundred dollars will be needed for relief work and the more fortunate should respond liberally. The writer went across the country to Sulphur Fork, following it up, and through Charlotte, on the west side of town. FROM THE NASHVILLE AMERICAN, MAY 1 1909, PAGE 4, ALGOOD SECTION: The worst storm that has visited this section for thirty years passed over this section about midnight. In town here a number of window panes were broken. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The deadliest tornado outbreak ever in Middle Tennessee struck the region from the evening hours of April 29, 1909, through the night and into the next day on April. The cyclone struck Rudolphtown about 8 o'clock and traveled in a northeasterly course. A thorough reading of the Nashville American, Nashville Tennessean, and Pulaski Citizen newspaper articles for several days after the tornado outbreak indicates 22 deaths occurred in Giles County and 9 deaths occurred in Lincoln County, for a total of 31 deaths from this tornado. Representative M. E. Neely lost a valuable barn, as did Maj. B. Randolph, both of the Walter Hill neighborhood. As it moved into Williamson County it eventually passed just south of Franklin causing 8 deaths and 11 injuries. "Storm's Dead Total 93." 10-18-1909, p. 2. To this day, the 1909 outbreak remains the second-deadliest on record in Tennesseeeven the April 34, 1974 Super Outbreak and the February 56, 2008, Super Tuesday outbreak produced just 45 and 31 deaths each in the state.[1]. Mrs. Berry (sic) Prosser, near Fayetteville; fatally injured. Only one member of this large family escaped unhurt. Will Ross Lackey, Jr., and Esq. Miss Jennie Kelso, Fayetteville; killed by live electric light wire. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Other F4 recorded were reported in Missouri near Golden, in Illinois near Texas City, and in south-central Tennessee near Bee Springs, just north of the Alabama state line. The strongest tornado confirmed so far from. The path of the storm was through a section about one mile southeast of Smyrna, where several homes were converted into wreckage and much farm property was destroyed. Many historians believe it was during this phase of the storm that winds along the periphery also toppled the steeple that used to sit atop the Franklin Cumberland Presbyterian Church. April 29, 1909 Tornado Outbreak. How often do tornadoes hit Tennessee? The next place in Tennessee was the farm of Mrs. Kate Wall, where all the fences and outbuildings were blown away and considerable other damage wrought.
- A terrific cyclone passed through a portion of Maury, Giles, Hickman and Williamson Counties last night, and as a result thirty-five or forty known dead and a hundred or more injured, some seriously. Dickson, Tenn., Apr. GRAZULIS: Moved NE near "Sango," 8 miles ESE of Clarksville. And five days later, Mrs. Marlin died from her injuries at a Nashville hospital. Jeff Dunnivant, a tenant on Irby Scruggs' place and his family escaped from the wreckage of their home with only slight injuries, but not a fragment of anything was left to the family, except the night clothes in which they were sleeping. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Marlin was completely demolished. Bob White's house was blown from its foundation. B. Barnes'. In its track, which was about half a mile in width, practically all timber was uprooted or twisted to the earth. The deadliest January tornadoes on record. A number of residences were badly damaged and business houses unroofed, the rain destroying almost the entire stock of John Jewell. Several negro families lost their homes. The damage reported in the far western and northern suburbs of Fayetteville along with the $5,000 damage to the Elk Cotton Mills north of Fayetteville indicates the tornado continued for several more miles before lifting northeast of Fayetteville, not 5 miles to the northwest as Grazulis stated. Wires all down everywhere and communication with the country cut off. One person was killed near Nolensville and another near Walterhill. (Bud) Hardy, Mrs. Louie Gordon, who was living with her mother, Mrs. Eliza Wilkinson, was cut and bruised about the face and arm. Houses and barns with their contents, orchards, fences and timber make up a large list of valuable property much of which was literally blown out of existence in a few seconds. In addition, Grazulis did not include the part of this tornado's path in northwest Robertson County near Sadlersville, which was included here along with the reported one injury. Four houses are blown down in Franklin. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. But several hundred dollars will be needed for relief work and the more fortunate should respond liberally. On May 30, 1909, the Zephyr tornado touched down close to the town of Zephyr. And those individuals are buried in the Bee Spring Cemetery that you see here today.. A school was reportedly carried intact for two miles, touching the ground every 200-300 yards, leaving holes in the earth. SHAMBURGER (2016): Based on the locations of damage reported by Grazulis and in the Pulaski Citizen, the Nashville American, and the Nashville Tennessean newspapers, the path of this tornado as plotted by Grazulis is incorrect, and is certainly oriented more east-northeastward similar to the other tornadoes on this day. Besides the loss of property, which is now estimated at $100,000, seven known dead are reported, and injured. It was the deadliest known tornado outbreak to affect Tennessee until March 21, 1952, when 64 people died statewide. The tornado proceeded over across the Lewisburg Pike area, out Murfreesboro Road, and by 11 p.m. struck for a final time, near Clovercroft.