The National Weather Service has determined that seven tornadoes touched down in the Tennessee Valley on Sunday, April 12, killing 10 people and causing significant damage. The first tornado touched down shortly after 8 p.m. The last touched down nearly four hours later.
Walker County, Georgia (1 tornado)
8:15 p.m.
An EF-2 tornado with estimated wind speeds up to 120-125 mph was on the ground for 17 minutes, traveling from Northwest of Summerville in Chattooga County to Southeast Lafayette. It was approximately 800 yards wide. No injuries were reported.
Murray County, Georgia (1 tornado)
9:45 p.m.
An EF-2 tornado with estimated wind speeds up to 130-135 mph was on the ground for 10 minutes, traveling 4.3 miles from Northwest Chatsworth to Cisco. It was approximately ½ a mile wide. This tornado killed seven.
Dade County, Georgia (1 tornado)
10:54 p.m.
An EF-1 tornado with estimated wind speeds up to 100 mph was on the ground for 11 minutes, traveling 5.6 miles from Southwest Trenton to Southeast Trenton. It was approximately 350 yards wide. No injuries or deaths were reported, but 100 homes were damaged.
Hamilton County, Tennessee (1 tornado)
11:19 p.m.
An EF-3 tornado with estimated wind speeds up to 145 mph was on the ground for 14 minutes and traveled 14.5 miles from Southeast Chattanooga to Ooltewah. It was approximately 1,500 yards wide. This tornado killed three and injured 19. This same tornado then entered Bradley County.
Bradley County, Tennessee (3 tornadoes)
11:45 p.m.
An EF-2 tornado with estimated wind speeds up to 115 mph was on the ground for five minutes and traveled 3 miles from Cleveland to Tasso. It was approximately 500 yards wide. This tornado injured six.
11:50 p.m.
An EF-1 tornado with estimated wind speeds up to 105 mph was on the ground for five minutes and traveled 5 miles from East Cleveland to East Tasso. It was approximately 500 yards wide. No injuries were reported.
11:55 p.m.
An EF-1 tornado with estimated wind speeds up to 105 mph was on the ground for five minutes and traveled nearly 5 miles from East Tasso to Northwest Benton. It was approximately 500 yards wide. No injuries were reported.
by WRCB Staff (2020, Apr 16)
