2008 — Feb 5-6, “Super Tuesday” Tornado Outbreak, AL, AR, KY, TN –62-63
–62-63 Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.[1]
— 59 NCDC/NESDIS/NOAA/DOC. Storm Events Data Base.
— 59 USA Today. “Tennessee, A Year Later, Still Feels Tornado’s Wrath,” Feb 5, 2009.
— 58 Grazulis. Tornado Project Online. Recent Tornadoes. “US Killer Tornadoes of 2008.”
— 57 Lyons. “Tornadoes May Break Record For Year.” Palm Beach Daily News, 1 Nov 2008.
— 57 NWS. Service Assessment. Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of Feb 5-6, 2008. P. iv.
— 57 Reuters, “Tornado Toll Rises to 57, February 8, 2008.
— 57 SPC. “Fatal Tornadoes/County-Fatalities, State Fatalities and EF-Scale for Feb 5-6-2008.[2]
— 57 Wikipedia. “2008 Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak.”
— 55 CNN. “Severe Weather, Tornadoes Kill Dozens Across South, February 6, 2008.
— 28 Storm Prediction Center, NWS, NOOA. SPC Storm Reports for 02/05/08
Alabama: ( 5)
— 5 NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details, EF4 Tornado, KY, Feb 5-6, 2008.
— 5 NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment. Super Tuesday… 2009, D-1.
— 5 USA Today, Feb 5, 2009.
–1 Jackson County, Pisgah community. Female, 60, frame home.[3]
–4 Lawrence County. NWS. Appendix D. Service Assessment. Super Tuesday… D1.
–1 Aldridge Grove community. Male, 40, in mobile home.
–1 Aldridge Grove community. Female, 49, in mobile home.
–1 Aldridge Grove community. Male, 19, in mobile home.
–1 Fairfield community. Female, 86, in a mobile home.
Arkansas: ( 14)
— 14 National Weather Service WFO, Little Rock, AR. “Severe Weather on February 5, 2008.”
— 14 USA Today, Feb 5, 2009.
— 13 Lyons. “Tornadoes May Break Record For Year.” Palm Beach Daily News, 1 Nov 2008.
— 14 NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment. Super Tuesday… 2009, D-1.
–1 Baxter County, Gassville. Female, 77, mobile home park.
–1 Conway County, Hattieville, near Cleveland. Male, 84, mobile home park.
–1 “ “ “ near Cleveland, Female, 68, mobile home park.
–1 Izard County, Rose Trail area mobile home. Male, 51.
–1 Izard County, Zion, mobile home. Male, 32.
–5 Pope Co. NWS. “Appendix D.” Service Assessment. Super Tuesday… 2009, D-1.[4]
–1 Atkins, Lucky Landing. Female, 78, thrown from mobile home.
–3 Atkins. Family, frame home; female, 43; female, 11; male, 40.
–1 Atkins, Happy Bend com.. Male, 56, seeking shelter in shipping container.
–1 Stone Co., Mountain-view. House just east of Hwy 5/14 intersection. Female, 50.[5]
–3 Van Buren County. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, Ark., Feb 5, 2008.[6]
–1 Clinton vicinity. Female, 81, in a house.
–1 Clinton, boat factory office room near exterior wall. Male, 29.
–1 Clinton, Shirley vicinity, mobile home. Female, 37.
Kentucky: ( 7)
— 7 Lyons. “Tornadoes May Break Record For Year.” Palm Beach Daily News, 1 Nov 2008.
— 7 NCDC. Event Record Details, Tornadoes, KY, Feb 5-6, 2008.
— 7 USA Today, Feb 5, 2009.
— 7 NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment. Super Tuesday… 2009, D-2:
— 3 KY Muhlenberg Co. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, KY, 2-5-2008.
–1 Greenville. Male, 69, mobile home.
–1 Greenville. Female, 62, mobile home.
–1 Greenville. Female, 40, mobile home.
— 4 KY Allen County. NCDC. Event Record Details, Tornado, KY, 6 Feb 2008,
–1 Holland area. Male, 2, mobile home.
–1 Holland area. Female, 53, mobile home.
–1 Holland area. Male, 50, mobile home.
–1 Holland area. Male, 53, mobile home.
Tennessee: (36-37)
–36-37 State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.[7]
— 33 NCDC. Storm Event Database. Event Details. Tennessee. Tornadoes. 2-5-2008.
— 33 USA Today, Feb 5, 2009.
— 32 Lyons, “Tornadoes May Break Record For Year.” Palm Beach Daily News, 11-1-2008.
— 31 NWS. Service Assessment. Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of Feb 5-6, 2008. D 2-3.
— 1 Fayette County, Yum Yum Road. Tornado, male, 70, pickup truck in shed.[8]
— 3 Hardin County, Cerro Gordo, near Savannah.
–1 Male, 55, mobile home.
–1 Male, 74, mobile home.
–1 Male, 75, mobile home.
–18 Macon County Times, TN. “Remembering those we’ve lost.” 2-2-2012, 9A.[9]
–18 Macon County Times. “Six years later.” 2-5-2014. “as a direct result of the storm.”[10]
–18 Macon County, Lafayette. Lafayette, Tennessee. “Tornado: February 5, 2008.”
— Carol Irene Boyd, 42; from Feb 5, 2008 tornado injuries.[11]
— Mark Aaron Brown, Jr., 19.[12]
— Javier Bueno Castillo (or Javier Castillo Bueno), 35.
— William Clark, 74.
— Johnny Doolin, 59.
— Dixie Marie Ellis, 79.
— Stanley Eugene Francis, 54.
— William “Tom” Manier, 90.
— Pablo Osorio.
— Cortney Lynn Payne, 4.
— Rex Douglas Payne, 49.
— Joan Rodriquez, 57.
— Jimmy Carter Shaw, 54.
— Michael L. Welch, 51.
— Hannah Welch, 11.
— Julie Welch, 45.
— Jessie Welch.
— Randy Wilkerson, 48.
–14 Macon County. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, TN, 2-5-2008.[13]
–13 Macon Co. NWS. Service Assessment. Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak… D3.[14]
–1 Lafayette. Male, 70, mobile home.
–1 Lafayette, female, 42, mobile home.
–1 Lafayette, female 4, mobile home interior closet seeking shelter.
–1 Lafayette, female, 79, mobile home.
–1 Lafayette, male, 35, mobile home.
–1 Lafayette, male, 54, frame home.
–1 Lafayette, male, 59, mobile home on cinder block structure.
–1 Lafayette, male, 23, frame home.
–1 Lafayette, male, 49, mobile home, interior closet seeking shelter.
–1 Lafayette, male, 54, frame home.
–1 Lafayette, male, 90, frame home.
–1 Location in county not noted. Male, 19, frame home interior closet.
–1 Location in county not noted. Female, 58; type of structure noted unknown.
— 2 Madison County. NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment.[15]
–1 Huntersville Community. Female, 84, frame home, in interior closet.
–1 Huntersville Community. Male, 75, frame home.
— 3 Shelby County. NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment .[16]
–1 Memphis. Male, 38, warehouse break-room on lowest level.
–1 Memphis. Male, 23, warehouse break-room on lowest level.
–1 Memphis. Female, 60, warehouse break-room on lowest level.
— 8 Sumner County. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, TN, 5 Feb 2008.
— 7 Sumner County. NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment… D4.
–1 Castalian Springs. Male, 33, frame home.
–1 Castalian Springs. Female, 23, frame home, interior bathroom.
–1 Castalian Springs. Male 26, mobile home.
–1 Castalian Springs. Female, 72, mobile home.
–1 Castalian Springs. Female, 52, mobile home.
–1 Castalian Springs. Male, 57, mobile home.
–1 Castalian Springs. Male, 49, mobile home.
— 2 Trousdale County. NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, TN, 5 Feb 2008.
–1 Hartsville. Female, 84, mobile home.[17]
–1 Hartsville. Male, 86, mobile home.[18]
General
Lyons: “The event began on Super Tuesday, while 24 U.S. states were holding primary elections and caucuses to select the presidential candidates for the upcoming presidential election. Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee were among the affected regions in which primaries were being held. Some voting locations were forced to close early due to the approaching severe weather. Eighty-seven tornadoes occurred over the course of the outbreak. The storm system produced several destructive tornadoes in heavily populated areas, most notably in the Memphis metropolitan area, in Jackson, Tennessee, and the northeastern end of the Nashville metropolitan area.
“One of the deadliest tornadoes was in Arkansas. The twister ripped through seven counties tracking an estimated 122 miles through the center of the state. The tornado claimed 12 lives and injured 140 people….Fifty-seven people would be killed by the tornadoes, making the Super Tuesday outbreak the deadliest in more than 20 years….
“The outbreak is the deadliest of the modern NEXRAD doppler radar era (fully implemented in 1997.) As well as the largest single outbreak since the May 31, 1985 outbreak, which killed 76 across Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well claiming 12 victims in Ontario, Canada.. It was also the deadliest outbreak in both Tennessee and Kentucky since the 1974 Super Outbreak. The weather system which produced the tornadoes also caused significant Straight-line wind damage, hail as large as softballs – 4.5 inches (11 cm) in diameter – major flooding, significant freezing rain, and heavy snow across many areas of eastern North America.
“There were 32 deaths in TN, 13 in Ark., 7 in KY and 5 in AL.
“A Federal Disaster Declaration was made for impacted counties on February 7.” (Lyons, Nov 1, 2008.)
NWS Service Assessment: “During a 12-hour period in the evening and early morning of February 5-6, 2008, 87 tornadoes occurred in nine states with 57 fatalities in four states. This is the second largest February tornado outbreak since 1950 (beginning year of official tornado database) in terms of fatalities and the largest since May 31, 1985. Fatalities occurred in Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. There were five violent Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale 4 tornadoes reported; two each in Tennessee and Alabama, and one in Arkansas. The EF4 tornado in Arkansas had a remarkable 122-mile continuous damage path; this was the longest path length of a tornado in the state since at least 1950. A deadly EF3 tornado that touched down northeast of Nashville, Tennessee, carved a 51- mile path of destruction claiming 22 lives. This was the deadliest tornado in the United States since a tornado in Evansville, Indiana, November 2005 killed 25 people.” (National Weather Service. Service Assessment. Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008. NWS, NOAA, March 2009, p. iv.)
Tornado Project: “As many as 50 tornadoes struck this day, and at least 11 separate killer tornadoes caused 58 deaths in 4 states. Tennessee was the hardest hit with 32 deaths; 13 died in Arkansas, 7 in Kentucky, and 6 in Alabama. Three fork lift operators were killed as a tornado cut a swath through warehouses, factories, 120 homes and a mall in southeast Memphis. Two died in Madison County homes. The tornado then destroyed 17 buildings on the Union University campus, injuring more than 50 students, many of them trapped in dormitories. The deadliest tornado hit Sumner and Macon counties in Tennessee, killing 23 people. Three died in Hardin County, and one died in Fayette County.
”Six people were killed in Alabama. A home was leveled in Lawrence County, killing a couple and their teenage son. In Jackson County, one woman was killed as her home in Pisgah was destroyed. Seven died in Kentucky. Four deaths were in Allen County. The storm may have been in the same family as the deadly Tennessee tornado. In Muhlenberg County, a couple and their daughter were killed in a mobile home. There were thirteen deaths in six different Arkansas counties. A couple and their 11-year-old daughter died in Pope County. Other fatalities were in Conway, Izard, Baxter, Stone and Van Buren Counties.” (Tornado Project. “US Killer Tornadoes of 2008.”)
NCDC: Alabama, Jackson County Tornado:
“Representatives from the National Weather Service and the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency conducted a storm survey of damage that occurred in Jackson County, Alabama early in the morning of February 6, 2008. The damage was determined to originate from a strong tornado, which at its peak had winds of at least 180 MPH, giving it a rating of EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The most significant damage occurred at the corner of County Road 60 and 177, between the Rosalie and Pisgah communities in eastern Jackson County. This is also approximately the location where one fatality occurred. Trees along the tornado path were snapped and in some cases shredded, several houses were swept from their foundations, and a large section of a chicken house collapsed. Several large hay bales (weighing 2,500 pounds) were blown apart or tossed around.” (NCDC, Tornado, Alabama, 6 Feb 2008, Jackson County.)
Alabama, Lawrence County Tornado:
“Representatives from the National Weather Service and the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency conducted a storm survey of damage that occurred in Lawrence County, Alabama early in the morning of February 6, 2008. The damage was determined to originate from a strong tornado, which at its peak had winds of approximately 170 MPH, giving it a rating of EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Based on reports and an aerial survey conducted by the Lawrence County EMA, the tornado is believed to have originally touched down near the Pinhook community in south-central Lawrence County (just north of the Bankhead National Forest) around 3:02 AM CST. The tornado remained on the ground for approximately 16.7 miles; the first 14 miles of the track occurred in Lawrence County, tracking through the Aldridge Grove, Fairfield, Five Points, Midway, and Caddo communities. The tornado exited Lawrence County about 3 miles south southeast of Caddo around 3:20 AM CST. The most significant damage occurred in two main areas. The first occurred just south of the Pinhook community, near the intersection of County Road 92 and 188. The second occurred north of Aldridge Grove near the intersection of County Road 94 and 183, where three fatalities occurred. Numerous homes received significant structural damage, including a 2300 square foot/2-story brick house that was nearly leveled off its foundation. Large trees, with diameters up to 4 feet, were completely snapped, with many uprooted. Fence posts embedded in concrete were ripped out of the ground and vaulted 50 to 100 feet in several different directions. A truck was thrown over a distance of more than 100 yards into an open field. The WFO Huntsville County Warning Area experienced the worst tornado outbreak in 19 years on February 6, 2008. While the number of observed tornadoes was low (4), the area experienced two EF-4 tornadoes, the first time the area has witnessed more than one devastating tornado on the same day since 1974. This event was part of a large tornado outbreak which spanned both February 5th (Super Tuesday) and 6th (Wednesday). A series of tornadic supercell thunderstorms swept across the Mid-South and Southeast states ahead of a potent cold front.” (NCDC, Tornado, Alabama, Lawrence County.)
Arkansas, Baxter County Tornado:
“The tornado moved from Marion County, north-northeast of Rea Valley, into Baxter County, just east-southeast of Cotter. A survey by the Red Cross indicated 21 houses were destroyed, 23 suffered major damage, 35 had minor damage, and 147 others were affected. In addition, 9 mobile homes were destroyed, 12 suffered major damage, 10 had minor damage, and 10 others were affected. One fatality occurred in a mobile home park. Most of the residential structures were in the area around Gassville. A number of businesses in Gassville, along U.S. Highway 62/412, were damaged. Numerous trees, power lines, and power poles were blown down. The tornado dissipated before reaching Mountain Home.” (NCDC, Arkansas, Baxter County.)
Arkansas, Conway County Tornado:
“The tornado moved out of Pope County, northeast of Atkins, into Conway County, west of Hattieville. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 56 residences (both houses and mobile homes) suffered damage. Altogether, 32 residences were destroyed, 6 had major damage, and 18 had minor damage….approximately 80,000 chickens were killed. Numerous trees, power lines, and power poles were blown down. An elderly couple was killed about 3.2 miles south-southwest of Cleveland when their mobile home was destroyed. The tornado then moved into Van Buren County, south-southeast of Beverage Town.” (NCDC, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Conway County.)
Arkansas, Izard County Tornado:
“The tornado moved out of Stone County, northeast of Mountain View, into Izard County, just northwest of Guion. A survey by the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicated 106 residential structures (houses and mobile homes) suffered damage. This included 43 residences destroyed, 14 with major damage, 36 with minor damage, and 13 others affected. A cattle farmer lost hundreds of cattle to the tornado. Two fatalities occurred: One in a mobile home in the Rose Trail area, and the other in a mobile home at Zion. The tornado continued into Sharp County, in the area northwest of Evening Shade.” (NCDC, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Izard County.)
Arkansas, Pope County, Tornado:
“The tornado moved out of the Carden Bottoms area of Yell County, crossing the Arkansas River, and re-entering Pope County southwest of Atkins. The intensity and width of the tornado increased quickly within just a couple of miles after it moved across the Arkansas River. According to a survey by the Red Cross, damage included 46 houses destroyed, 19 houses with major damage, 37 houses with minor damage, and 2 other houses affected. In addition, 6 mobile homes were destroyed, 1 mobile home had major damage, and 4 others suffered minor damage. Several businesses were damaged as well. Numerous trees, power lines, and power poles were blown down. Several vehicles were blown off Interstate 40 as the tornado crossed the highway. One fatality occurred in the Lucky Landing area when a woman was thrown from her mobile home. Three fatalities, all members of a single family, occurred at a house on the east side of Atkins. Another fatality occurred in the Happy Bend community when a man left his mobile home and took shelter in a large, metal, intermodal shipping container. The container was blown hundreds of yards into the woods. The tornado then moved into Conway County, in the area west of Hattieville. Early on the 5th, a strong storm system approached from the Plains. Ahead of the system, breezy southerly winds provided well above normal temperatures and abundant moisture. Warmth and moisture destabilized the atmosphere and fueled developing thunderstorms. A cold front moved across the state causing numerous severe storms and several tornadoes. One of the tornadoes tracked from Yell County to Sharp County, staying on the ground for 121.84 miles. This track length set a record for the longest tornado path ever recorded in Arkansas. The continuous track was confirmed by two National Weather Service meteorologists who flew the track with the Civil Air Patrol. The final track was based on ground surveys, the Civil Air Patrol flight, and an aerial mapping flight performed for the Arkansas Forestry Commission.” (NCDC. Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Pope Ct., Galla Rock.)
Arkansas, Stone County Tornado:
“According to a Red Cross survey, 24 houses were destroyed, 11 suffered major damage, 11 had minor damage, and 21 others were affected. Mobile home damage included 14 destroyed, 4 with major damage, 4 with minor damage, and 6 others affected. Major damage to businesses occurred near the intersection of Arkansas Highways 5 and 14 on the southeast side of Mountain View. A car dealership was destroyed and some of the cars on the sales lot were thrown across the highway. One car was lofted over a building across the highway and then thrown down into a ravine. Nearby, a utility pole was pulled up by the tornado, and then a large part of the pole was jammed back into the ground with all the wires still attached. The Stone County Medical Center suffered substantial damage, and a number of doctors’ offices nearby were destroyed. Other businesses destroyed included a body shop, a paint shop, and a car parts store. A fire station had major damage. A major electrical transmission line outside of Mountain View was destroyed. It was nearly a week before the line could be rebuilt and power restored. One person was killed in a house just east of the Highway 5/14 intersection. The tornado continued into Izard County, in the area just northwest of Guion” (NCDC. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Stone County.)
Arkansas, Van Buren County, Tornado:
“The tornado moved from Conway County, northeast of Cleveland, into Van Buren County, south-southeast of Beverage Town. A Red Cross survey indicated that 41 houses were destroyed, 26 suffered major damage, 29 had minor damage, and 30 others were affected. In addition, 21 mobile homes were destroyed, 4 suffered major damage, 2 had minor damage, and one other was affected. A boat factory was destroyed, and a church and a number of businesses were damaged. Three fatalities occurred: One in a house 3.2 miles south-southwest of Clinton, one at the boat factory in Clinton, and one in a mobile home 2.5 miles west of Shirley. The tornado continued into Stone County, south-southwest of Rushing..” (NCDC, 5 Feb 2008, Van Buren County.)
NWS: Southern Indiana and Central Kentucky Tornadoes:
“On the same day that 24 states were conducting primary voting for the 2008 presidential election, at least 84 tornadoes claimed 57 lives across the lower Ohio Valley and Southern United States. Much of the day was characterized by anomalously warm temperatures, with highs in many places across the South in the upper 70s to lower 80s, all ahead of a strong cold front. In Louisville, a high temperature of 68 was recorded at Standiford field on the 5th, with an early morning high of 67 on the 6th. The high temperature in Louisville on February 7, after the outbreak, was 36 degrees.
“Beginning around 10 PM local time, storms began moving through central Kentucky and southern Indiana, first as discrete cells, and later as a strong squall line. Eighteen twisters were confirmed, making Super Tuesday the second largest outbreak in number of tornadoes recorded, second only to the 21 confirmed tornadoes on April 3, 1974. Unlike the Super Outbreak, however, most of the tornadoes in the Louisville forecast area on February 5-6 were relatively weak, with short path lengths. Unfortunately, 4 people were killed by an EF3 tornado, all in Allen County, Kentucky. An additional EF3 tornado moved through Monroe County, and numerous EF2, EF1, and EF0 tornadoes occurred with the squall line as it raced across the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky.” (National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Louisville, KY. “13. Super Tuesday Outbreak February 5-6, 2008.” Top 25 Weather Events of All-Time in Central Kentucky and Southern Indiana. 3-4-2010 update.)
NCDC: Kentucky, Allen County Tornado:
“The tornado destroyed 12 homes and mobile homes, mainly in the Amos community and in the Tracy Lane area. Many other homes and buildings were damaged. Four people were killed in the Tracy Lane area, and eleven others were injured in southeast Allen County. The tornado continued through rural and wooded sections of eastern Allen County, and crossed into Monroe County, Kentucky near the town of Fountain Run.” (NCDC, 6 Feb 2008, Allen County.)
Kentucky, Muhlenberg County Tornado:
“Countywide, a total of 69 homes were destroyed and 203 were damaged. Of the 203 damaged homes, 56 sustained major damage. Most of the damage occurred in the communities of Greenville and Powderly, where 48 homes were destroyed and 32 sustained major damage (35 to 40 percent were mobile homes). The primary focus of attention was where the fatalities occurred at a mobile home park on U.S. Highway 62 near the Highway 189 bypass. In the Muhlenberg Industrial Park, a spec building was flattened and another building was heavily damaged. A half dozen businesses and churches were damaged, including a hotel and a car dealership. The Western Kentucky Parkway was closed near Central City due to trees blocking the road. A utility pole fell on a vehicle traveling on Kentucky 601. The tornado passed within a short distance southwest of a high school, where a basketball game was in progress at the time of the storm. A large portion of the gym roof was damaged, causing heavy water damage due to rainfall entering the building. The National Guard was activated to provide security for the area. The county was declared a federal major disaster area. The average path width was 325 yards. Peak winds were estimated near 160 mph.” (NCDC. Tornado, Kentucky, 5 Feb 2008, Muhlenberg County.)
Tennessee, Fayette County, Tornado:
“A tornado touched down near Akin Road. Shortly after touchdown, the tornado crossed Yum-Yum Road. A man sitting in his truck in a shed was killed when the tornado struck the shed. The truck tumbled at least 40 feet and was severely damaged. Other vehicles were tossed about from the tornado. Substantial damage to large trees in the area occurred as well. The tornado continued northeast and crossed into Haywood County, Tennessee.” (NCDC. Fayette County.)
Tennessee, Hardin County Tornado:
“The initial tornado touchdown occurred west of the Tennessee River near the intersection of Coffee Landing Road and Towboat Lane about 740 pm CST. The tornado then quickly raced northeast causing extensive damage to homes and trees just east of the Tennessee River in the Oak Grove, Cerro Gordo and Swift Communities. The tornado destroyed 59 houses, 11 mobile homes, 11 public buildings, a vacant store and 11 farm buildings. Another 117 structures received varying degrees of damage. Four of the 11 public buildings belonged to the Sharon Baptist Church. The church lost its sanctuary, preschool, academy and student center, off Cravens Road in the Oak Grove area. Two of the five injuries occurred at the church while two more injuries occurred in homes in the Oak Grove area. All three deaths occurred in mobile homes. Two of the deaths occurred in the Cerro Gordo area while the third fatality occurred in northeast Hardin County in the vicinity of Nance Bend Road and Highway 128. The tornado continued northeast before lifting near the intersection of Highway 114 and Highway 128 around 757 pm CST. The path length was about 16 miles and the maximum width was one half mile. The highest estimated winds were around 170 mph.” (NCDC. Tennessee, Harden County.)
Tennessee, Macon County, Tornado:
“Thirteen people were killed, and 44 folks were injured. Most of the fatalities occurred in Williams, just northwest of Lafayette. Also, 170 homes were destroyed, and 9 homes had major damage. There was one indirect fatality, a male 48 years of age, due to carbon monoxide poisoning in his home from a generator on Feb. 6, 2008. Pres. George W. Bush toured Macon County destruction on February 8th and promised relief to individuals. The logging industry in Macon County was hit hard. About a million dollars worth of trees were destroyed, which will take decades to replenish. It was estimated that the tornado outbreak did 10 million dollars worth of damage to trees in the state of Tennessee. One large brick home worth about 350 thousand dollars was poorly built. The bricks rested on cinder blocks that were not cemented. This was noticed on a storm survey. Schools were closed for over a week, and classes did not start again until Tuesday, February 19. FEMA spent 4.1 million dollars for housing displaced residents in trailers. The Super Severe Weather Outbreak on Feb. 5, 2008 produced supercelluar thunderstorms, well in advance of a multicell line of thunderstorms. The whole episode lasted about 6 hours. This occurred…while many states, including Tennessee, were participating in the Super Tuesday Primary Election. Fortunately, polls had already closed in the mid state when these tornadoes struck.” (NCDC. Tornado, TN, 5 Feb 1998, Green Grove.)
Tennessee, Madison County, Tornado:
“A tornado crossed into Madison County from Haywood County, Tennessee. The tornado struck the town of Huntersville and produced EF-3 damage. One home was totally destroyed on Huntersville-Denmark Road. One person was killed inside the home. Another home was destroyed in Huntersville. One person was killed in this home as well. Numerous homes were destroyed or damaged along the path in Huntersville area. The St. John No. 2 Baptist Church was severely damaged and the church bus was flipped upside down and tossed several hundred feet. The tornado lifted northeast of Huntersville near Interstate 40. A rest area along Interstate 40 was severely damaged. Thirteen tractor-trailers and several cars were also blown off of the Interstate due to the tornado. One car was tossed 75 yards from Interstate 40 into a farm field. Along the track of this tornado over 50 structures were destroyed and over 80 more were damaged.” (NCDC. Event Record Details, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Madison County)
Tennessee, Shelby County, Tornado:
“A tornado continued northeast from DeSoto County, Mississippi. After the tornado crossed into Tennessee, several warehouses sustained damage. The DSC warehouse near Clarke Road was struck causing EF-2 damage. Three people were killed inside the warehouse. Hardy Bottling Company sustained substantial damage as well. Tractor-trailers were tossed about in the area. Windows were shattered in the Willow Lake Business Park and utility poles and trees were snapped in the area. A utility substation sustained severe damage along Clarke Road causing major power outages in the area. The tornado then continued northeast and struck homes along Maple Tree Drive and Pinbranch Court. Five homes received major damage and had to be condemned. Other homes sustained roof damage. The tornado continued northeast and struck the Hickory Ridge Mall causing a wall to collapse at the Sears Department Store. Six injuries occurred at the mall. This damage was estimated at EF-1. The tornado then struck a Taco Bell along Winchester Road before lifting. Thirteen people in all were transported to an area hospital due to injuries sustained from the tornado.” (NCDC, TN, 5 Feb 2998, Shelby County)
Tennessee, Sumner County Tornado:
“The Castalian Springs Post Office was completely destroyed. There were 85 homes destroyed in Sumner County. Also in Castalian Springs, a 180 year-old structure called Wynnewood, lost the top of its structure due to the tornado. The historic log structure served as a stagecoach stop. The structure had 3 chimneys and was 142 feet long, making it the longest log structure in Tennessee. Officials say it would take 2 years and $6 million to restore Wynnewood. It is Sumner County’s sole historic landmark. Also, 102 trees were lost in the area by the tornado. The 11-month-old son of Kerri Stowell survived the storm and was found miraculously unharmed in a field across the street from their home in Castalian Springs.[19] Unfortunately, Kerri Stowell was killed in the tornado. The tornado directly killed 7 people in Sumner County, and there was one indirect fatality when Mr. Lampkin, age 63, died of a heart attack while seeking shelter in his home. There were 14 people injured in Sumner County. This tornado continued into Trousdale and Macon Counties, and also into Kentucky.” (NCDC, Tornado, TN, 5 Feb 2008, Sumner County.)
Tennessee, Trousdale County Tornado:
“Tornado ripped a gas plant and caused a gas leak and fire at the Columbia Gulf Transmission Company at 5422 Green Grove Road in Hartsville, TN. The fire eventually burned itself out. Two people were killed, and 5 people were injured. Ten homes were destroyed, and 23 homes had major damage.” (NCDC, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Trousdale County.)
Newspapers:
Feb 6: “In Jackson, Tennessee, a tornado trapped Union University students and retirees in collapsed buildings….”It looks like a war zone,” said university President David Dockery. “Cars and trucks thrown from one side of the campus to the other.” Dockery said the women’s dorms were destroyed, along with two academic buildings. Many other school buildings received lesser damage. Classes were canceled at least until February 18, he said. Nine students were hospitalized overnight, but there were no life-threatening injuries…” (CNN. February 6, 2008.)
Feb 5, 2009: “The tornado outbreak of Feb. 5, 2008, included 131 twisters, according to the Storm Prediction Center. It left 59 people dead, including 14 in Arkansas, seven in Kentucky and five in Alabama. It was the deadliest outbreak of the year and the highest number of fatalities in a single cluster of tornadoes since the Ohio-Pennsylvania storm of May 31, 1985, killed 76 people, according to the National Climatic Data Center.” (USA Today. “Tennessee, A Year Later…” Feb 5, 2009.)
Sources
CNN. “Severe Weather, Tornadoes Kill Dozens Across South, February 6, 2008.” Accessed at: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/06/tornadoes/index.html
Find A Grave. “Carol Irene Boyd.” Record added 2-14-2008. Accessed 6-26-2015 at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24616517
Lafayette, Tennessee (website). “Tornado: February 5, 2008.” Accessed 6-26-2015 at: http://www.lafayettetn.com/tornado_20080205.htm
Lyons, Mike. “Tornadoes May Break Record For Year.” Palm Beach Daily News, 11-1-2008. At: http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/content/news/2008/11/01/lyons1102.html
Macon County Times. “Obituaries.” Accessed 6-26-2015 at: http://maconcountytimes.com/view/full_story/1531732/article-OBITUARIES
Macon County Times, TN. “Remembering those we’ve lost.” 2-2-2012, 9A. Accessed 6-26-2015 at: http://assets.matchbin.com/sites/513/assets/K9E5_2_2_pdf.pdf
Macon County Times, TN. “Six years later.” 2-5-2014. Accessed 6-26-2015 at: http://www.maconcountytimes.com/news/home_top-news/3558788/Six-years-later
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Alabama, 6 Feb 2008, Jackson County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2/4/2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696278
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Alabama, 6 Feb 2008, Lawrence County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2/4/2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696277
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Baxter County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696254
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Conway County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696205
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Izard County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696500
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Pope County, Galla Rock. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696822
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Stone County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696499
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 5 Feb 2008, Van Buren County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2/4/2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696206
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Kentucky, 5 Feb 2008, Muhlenberg County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~695741
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Kentucky, 6 Feb 2008, Allen County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~695798
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Fayette County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 6-25-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=82841
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Hardin County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696456
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Macon Count, Green Grove. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~695201
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Madison County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696905
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Shelby County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696928
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Sumner County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~696645
National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Tennessee, 5 Feb 2008, Trousdale County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~695786
National Weather Service. Service Assessment. Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008. Silver Spring, MD: NWS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, March 2009. Accessed 6-25-2015 at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/super_tuesday.pdf
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Little Rock, AR. “Severe Weather on February 5, 2008.” NWS/NOAA, 9-20-2008 update. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/svr0208.htm
Reuters. “Tornado Toll Rises to 57.” 2-8-2008. At: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1318360/1574408
Storm Prediction Center. Fatal Tornadoes/County-Fatalities, State Fatalities and EF-Scale for Feb 5-6, 2008 Outbreak. Norman, OK: SPC, National Weather Service, NOAA, July 9, 2008 update. Accessed at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/noaa-outbreak-graphic.png
Storm Prediction Center. SPC Storm Reports for 02/05/08. Norman, OK: SPC, National Weather Service, NOAA. Accessed at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/080205_rpts.html
Tornado Project Online. Recent Tornadoes. US Killer Tornadoes of 2008. Accessed at: http://www.tornadoproject.com/
USA Today. “Tennessee, A Year Later, Still Feels Tornado’s Wrath.” 2-5-2009. Accessed at: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/tornadoes/2009-02-04-tennessee-tornado_N.htm
Wikipedia. “2008 Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak.” Accessed 2-4-2009 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Super_Tuesday_tornado_outbreak
[1] The range has to do with one NWS source noting seven deaths in Sumner County, TN, and another noting eight.
[2] We would surmise that the reason the Storm Prediction Center’s fatality count is 57 and not 59 is that the two indirect heart attack fatalities noted in the NCDC Storm Event Data Base are not included.
[3] NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment. Super Tuesday Tornado… March 2009, p. D-1.
[4] Also NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Tornado. EF3. Arkansas. Pope. Feb 5, 2008.
[5] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Tornado. EF4. Arkansas. Stone. Feb 5, 2008; and NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment. Super Tuesday Tornado… March 2009, p. D-2.
[6] And: NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment. Super Tuesday Tornado… Mar 2009, p. D-2.
[7] The range has to do with one NWS source noting seven deaths in Sumner County, and another noting eight.
[8] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details, Tornado, TN, Fayette County, 5 Feb 2008.
[9] Same 18 names listed in 2-5-2014 Macon Times article and in Lafayette, TN website (plus photo of memorial).
[10] Essentially the same as “In Memoriam” section of Lafayette, TN website, except full names and ages provided.
[11] Find A Grave. “Carol Irene Boyd.” Record added 2-14-2008.
[12] Macon County Times. “Obituaries.” Accessed 6-26-2015.
[13] Not used in tally in that we have from multiple sources, names of eighteen fatalities.
[14] Not used in tally in that we have from multiple sources, names of eighteen fatalities.
[15] Also: NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details, Tornado, TN, Madison. 2-5-2008.
[16] Also: NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Tornado, TN, Shelby. 2-5-2008.
[17] NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment… D4.
[18] NWS. “Appendix D. Fatality Statistics.” Service Assessment… D4.
[19] The Toddler, Kyson Stowell, was found in a muddy field by a firefighter. “Rescuers found Kyson face-down and motionless in a rural field northeast of Nashville strewn with splintered lumber, couches and toys, about 100 yards away from his mother’s body. But the infant was OK, needing only two days of hospital treatment for scrapes and a collapsed lung.” (AP. “Infant Who Survived Tenn. Tornado Grows Up Fast,” Feb 5, 2009)