The 1998 Nashville tornado outbreak was a two-day tornado outbreak which affected portions of the Midwestern United States, Mississippi, and Tennessee Valleys on April 15 and April 16, 1998, with the worst of the outbreak taking place on the second day. On that day, at least ten tornadoes swept through Middle Tennessee—three of them touching down in Nashville, causing significant damage to the downtown and East Nashville areas. Nashville became the first major city in nearly 20 years to have an F2 or larger tornado make a direct hit in the downtown area.[1]
Several outbuildings and barns were destroyed, nine homes sustained major damage, and several mobile homes were overturned. Several trees were downed. A man was injured when his tractor-trailer was picked up and overturned.[11][12]
At least ten homes were damaged, and over a dozen barns and farm buildings and two mobile homes were destroyed. Two tractor-trailers were overturned as well.[13]
Eight homes were damaged, a mobile home was destroyed, and 18 barns and farm buildings were either heavily damaged or destroyed. Many trees were downed along the path.[14]
The tornado moved through Flora, derailing 60 to 70 train cars, destroying a set of railroad crossing signals, caused roof and structural damage to numerous homes, and destroyed a mobile home and several garages and sheds. The mobile home was moved around 100 feet (30 m). On the east side of Flora, 40 to 50 condominiums were damaged, ten businesses in an industrial park were damages, and power poles were downed. Several vehicles in the area were damaged from falling trees and debris, numerous trees were downed, and a mobile home was overturned northwest of Clay City. Eight people sustained minor injuries.[16]
Several trees and tree limbs were knocked down, causing roof damage to a home and knocking down a power line. An outbuilding sustained minor shingle damage as well.[21]
2 deaths – The tornado moved northeast through Manila, where several homes, mobile homes, and businesses were heavily damaged or destroyed. A discount department store and a gas station/food mart were flattened, and three small factory and machine shop buildings and a furniture store were destroyed. Several other buildings were seriously damaged, and numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Twelve people were injured.[25]
2 deaths – Three mobile homes were destroyed, including one with the two fatalities. One site-built home was destroyed, with a truck being thrown into it, and several other homes were damaged. Numerous trees and power poles were downed. Three people were injured. Small debris travelled as far as Dyer, about 15 miles (24 km) to the east.[27]
Seven mobile homes and 35 site-built homes were either damaged or destroyed, a flea market complex lost a wall and part of its roof, trees were downed, and cars were demolished. Five people were injured.[29][30]
Several homes were damaged and a TVA transmission line tower fell in Montgomery County. In Robertson County, part of the roof of a school was blown off. Many trees and power lines were downed along the path, with many trees landing on homes.[29]
A barn and a house sustained roof damage. Many trees and power lines were downed as well. A 2013 reanalysis found that the rating may be too high based on reported damage.[29]
2 deaths – A house was destroyed, and 45 others were severely damaged. 35 mobile homes and 25 barns were also heavily damaged or destroyed. The fatalities and the heaviest damage was in Glasgow. A total of 146 homes and 50 barns were affected in Barren County alone. The supercell produced another tornado in Metcalfe County shortly afterward.[34][35][36][37]
Four homes, ten barns, five silos, and a grain bin were destroyed, and twelve homes and six barns were damaged. The marina in Port Sanilac sustained significant damage, and a horse was fatally injured. The tornado continued over Lake Huron and became a waterspout.[38]
Trees were downed. This was originally considered part of the Nashville tornado, but a 2013 reanalysis determined that one dissipated and this one formed just to the east.[29]
3 deaths – 34 homes were completely destroyed, 14 homes had major damage, and 22 homes had minor damage. Some homes were swept completely off of their foundations. A lumber yard and many mobile homes were destroyed. Many trees were downed as well. Six people were injured. This tornado came from the same supercell that produced the F5 tornado and the other F4 tornado in Tennessee. This tornado may have reached F5 intensity.[29]
Many homes and businesses, including a factory, were damaged in western Lebanon. Trees were downed and fencing was destroyed. 26 outbuildings and 21 vehicles were damaged as well.[29]
Fourteen homes were heavily damaged or destroyed, and three mobile homes and 27 barns were destroyed. A total of 30 homes, 84 barns, two schools, and eight businesses were affected. The Pellyton area was most impacted.[42]
See section on this tornado – 21 people were injured. Considered the only official F5/EF5 to have ever occurred in Tennessee (an unofficial one was in Pinson, Tennessee in 1923).[29][43] This tornado came from the same supercell that produced the two F4 tornadoes in Tennessee.
40 site-built homes, 22 mobile homes, and 100 barns were destroyed. Two greenhouses were heavily damaged, 45 utility poles were blown down, and fences were damaged. Thousands of trees were downed. Four people were injured.[29]
The tornado touched down just inside Lawrence County, where trees and power lines were downed, a gas tank was ruptured, cars were overturned, and homes were damaged. Five site-built homes and eight mobile homes were damaged in Giles County. In Maury County, near Culleoka, an 18-wheeler was blown over, many homes were damaged, and several trailers/mobile homes were either damaged or destroyed. Trees and power lines were downed as well. Nine people were injured. This tornado came from the same supercell that produced the F5 tornado and the other F4 tornado across Wayne and Lawrence counties.[29]
The tornado moved predominately through the Big South Fork Recreation Area and struck the small community of Smithtown just before lifting. Several homes, mobile homes, outbuildings, and a barn were damaged, and a vehicle was overturned. Numerous trees were downed along the path.[45][46]
Three mobile homes were destroyed, and four more were damaged. One house sustained major damage, and several more received minor damage. Numerous trees and power lines were down along the path.[51][52]
Three trailers, two barns, and a car were destroyed, the roof was torn off a house, and trees and power lines were downed. Two people were injured.[60]
A mobile home park was struck, with seven mobile homes being destroyed, two receiving major damage, and six more having minor damage. One home had major structural damage, and 14 others had minor damage. Numerous trees were downed as well. Ten people sustained minor injuries.[62]
1 death – Two homes were destroyed, and 33 additional homes, 10 barns, two mobile homes, and a church were damaged. The fatality occurred while the person tried to take shelter.[63]
