NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The recent warm temperatures reminds us that spring is upon us. But springtime can also bring tornadoes and severe weather.
March, April and May are the peak months for tornadoes in Middle Tennessee.
However, April, in particular, has brought some historic and deadly twisters over the two decades.
On April 16, 1998, the infamous Nashville tornado roared down West End Avenue through downtown and east Nashville before making its way into Hermitage, Mt. Juliet and parts of Wilson County.
One person was killed in Centennial Park, three others in Wayne County and 60 others were injured.
In all, a total of 13 tornadoes touched down that day, including an F5 in Lawrence County. That tornado is the only F5 to hit Tennessee in recorded history.
The month of April also brought the Gallatin tornado on April 7, 2006.
After initially touching down in Dickson and Cheatham counties, it lifted and re-formed in Goodlettsville, inflicting major damage to the Metro Baptist Church.
It also ravaged Hendersonville and Gallatin including Volunteer State University.
Seven people died in Gallatin and there were 128 injuries. In Sumner County alone, 700 homes or businesses were damaged or destroyed.
On Good Friday, April 10, 2009, the Murfreesboro tornado crossed Interstate 24 before slamming the north part of the city. Two people were killed, a total of 117 homes were destroyed and 845 others were damaged.
So what is in store for this spring?
There are no solid answers, but a strong El Nino is taking place in the Pacific this year.
The last strong El Nino was in 1998. That was the year of the devastating Nashville tornado and the Lawrence County F5.
April of that year brought a total of 22 tornadoes, and there has only been one other April since then that produced more, 2011.
El Nino doesn’t guarantee severe weather. News 2 meteorologists emphasize that there have been many other tornado outbreaks during non El-Nino years, so the jury’s still out.
No matter how this spring pans out, the key is to be prepared by knowing where you and your family’s “safe place” It’s also important to know what to do when threatened by a tornado.
