Storm Events Database

Storm Events Database

Event Details:

Event Tornado
-- Scale EF3
-- Length 12.75 Miles
-- Width 1500 Yards
State TENNESSEE
County/Area HAMILTON
WFO MRX
Report Source NWS Storm Survey
NCEI Data Source CSV
Begin Date 2020-04-12 22:19 EST-5
Begin Location 2ENE EAST RIDGE
Begin Lat/Lon 34.986/-85.1907
End Date 2020-04-12 22:31 EST-5
End Location 3NNE COLLEGEDALE ARPK
End Lat/Lon 35.095/-85.0089
Deaths Direct/Indirect 2/0 (fatality details below, when available...)
Injuries Direct/Indirect 18/0
Property Damage 0.00K
Crop Damage 0.00K
Episode Narrative A prolonged convective event with deep moist southerly flow in an unstable environment with strong wind shear generated supercell thunderstorms across Southeast Tennessee and Southwest North Carolina. The lengthy period of heavy rain resulted in widespread three to four inch rainfall totals across East Tennessee, Southwest North Carolina, and Southwest Virginia.
Event Narrative Ground surveys and radar data suggest the tornado touched down on the south side of Fort Oglethorpe, near the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center in Catoosa County. The tornado crossed I-75 along Scruggs Road, then crossed the Tennessee/Georgia state-line somewhere between Scruggs Road and GA-Hwy 41 (Ringgold Rd in Tennessee). It quickly moved across the Harris Hills area where some trees were uprooted and then continued towards East Brainerd Road and Stratman Circle where an auto parts store was completely leveled and nearby structures had significant roof damage done. The tornado then struck the end of a large shopping building where a restaurant was located. The restaurant facade was destroyed and the roof was peeled back. This is where the tornado picked up strength and was near its peak intensity. It continued northeast into the Drake Forest neighborhood where extensive structure, roof, and tree damage was noted. There were likely pockets of EF-3 damage here, as well. The tornado damage path really widened as it moved northeast into the Holly Hills neighborhood. This was likely the widest part of the tornado. Nearly as far as you could see to the southeast, tree trunks were snapped and significant home damage was noted. Some areas were blocked by tree debris and fallen power poles as well as large debris removal machinery which limited easy access to some areas. Additional damage was found in Ooltewah near the Summit Softball Complex and particularly significant roof damage to several units/buildings of the Integra Hills Preserve Apartments. The tornado weakened as it crossed South Lee Highway and eventually dissipated in southwestern Bradley County.


Event Fatality Details:

Type Age Gender Fatality Location
Death (Direct) 46 Male Mobile/Trailer Home
Death (Direct) 4 Male Permanent Home


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Event Map:

Note: The tornado track is approximate based on the beginning (B) and ending (E) locations. The actual tornado path may differ from a straight line.
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All events for this episode:

Location County/Zone St. Date Time T.Z. Type Mag Dth Inj PrD CrD
Totals: 4 24 10.00K 0.00K
DUNLAP SEQUATCHIE CO. TN 04/12/2020 18:30 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 55 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
JASPER MARION CO. TN 04/12/2020 20:00 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
TELLICO PLAINS MONROE CO. TN 04/12/2020 20:50 EST-5 Thunderstorm Wind 55 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CONASAUGA POLK CO. TN 04/12/2020 21:00 EST-5 Thunderstorm Wind 55 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
KIMBALL MARION CO. TN 04/12/2020 21:00 CST-6 Flash Flood 1 0 0.00K 0.00K
BRAINERD HAMILTON CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:17 EST-5 Thunderstorm Wind 55 kts. EG 1 0 0.00K 0.00K
EAST RIDGE HAMILTON CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:19 EST-5 Tornado EF3 2 18 0.00K 0.00K
(CHA)LOVELL FLD CHAT HAMILTON CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:24 EST-5 Thunderstorm Wind 54 kts. MG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MINERAL PARK BRADLEY CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:31 EST-5 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CLEVELAND BRADLEY CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:45 EST-5 Tornado EF2 0 6 0.00K 0.00K
EAST CLEVELAND BRADLEY CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:50 EST-5 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CHESTUEE BRADLEY CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:51 EST-5 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MONTLAKE HAMILTON CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:53 EST-5 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
JULIAN CHAPEL BRADLEY CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:55 EST-5 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
BENTON STATION POLK CO. TN 04/12/2020 22:59 EST-5 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HIWASSEE BEACH POLK CO. TN 04/12/2020 23:40 EST-5 Thunderstorm Wind 55 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MADISONVILLE MONROE CO. TN 04/12/2020 23:47 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CLEVELAND BRADLEY CO. TN 04/13/2020 00:30 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
SEYMOUR SEVIER CO. TN 04/13/2020 00:57 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
LAWSON XRDS BLOUNT CO. TN 04/13/2020 01:00 EST-5 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ATHENS MCMINN CO. TN 04/13/2020 01:15 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ROCKFORD BLOUNT CO. TN 04/13/2020 01:30 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
GATLINBURG SEVIER CO. TN 04/13/2020 02:55 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
JOHNSON CITY WASHINGTON CO. TN 04/13/2020 03:00 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ROAN MTN CARTER CO. TN 04/13/2020 03:48 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ROCK CREEK UNICOI CO. TN 04/13/2020 04:48 EST-5 Flash Flood 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
Totals: 4 24 10.00K 0.00K