Rutherford County, Tennessee tornadoes

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46 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: March 15, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

At a glance

Total461950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthApril12 of 46
StrongestEF4Apr 10, 2009
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries120whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Rutherford County.

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 7Feb: 4Mar: 9Apr: 12May: 8Jun: 1Jul: 1Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 2Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 12 of 46 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 3: 3: 23 AM: 1: 2: 06 AM: 1: 2: 09 AM: 0: 1: 312 PM: 3: 3: 23 PM: 3: 4: 56 PM: 3: 2: 09 PM: 0: 0: 312 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 01980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 2: 1: 12000: 2: 2: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 42010: 0: 4: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 12020: 0: 1: 0: 2: 2: 119501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
18
EF1
18
EF2
5
EF3
3
EF4
2

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

EF4, April 10, 2009

2 deaths, 58 injuries Strongest

EF4, April 10, 2009

23.25 mile path Longest path

23.25 miles, EF4

April 10, 2009, whole path Widest

750 yards, EF4

April 10, 2009

All 46 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 15, 2025EF14.48 mi300 yd00
Jul 29, 2024EF03.34 mi100 yd00
May 8, 2024EF02.96 mi100 yd00
Apr 1, 2023EF218.45 mi500 yd02
Apr 1, 2023EF112.93 mi150 yd00
Mar 25, 2021EF12.23 mi100 yd00
Feb 6, 2019EF01.2 mi75 yd00
Nov 6, 2018EF210.49 mi150 yd13
Nov 18, 2017EF110.93 mi100 yd00
Mar 1, 2017EF03.15 mi100 yd00
Mar 18, 2013EF03.8 mi100 yd00
Jan 30, 2013EF14.59 mi150 yd00
Jan 13, 2013EF01.59 mi100 yd00
Jan 17, 2012EF01.69 mi125 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF01.57 mi75 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF02.11 mi50 yd00
Apr 4, 2011EF14.9 mi100 yd00
Mar 23, 2011EF01 mi50 yd00
Apr 10, 2009EF13.7 mi100 yd00
Apr 10, 2009EF00.2 mi25 yd00
Apr 10, 2009EF423.25 mi750 yd258
Mar 28, 2009EF11 mi50 yd00
May 11, 2003F31 mi400 yd00
May 5, 2003F00.1 mi20 yd00
Apr 28, 2002F33.2 mi350 yd031

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.