Deadly tornadoes in Tennessee: A look at some of the worst storms to hit the Nashville area

Keep up to date with the latest coverage of the Middle Tennessee tornado outbreak here.

An outbreak of tornadoes in Tennessee on Saturday has put December 2023 as one of the deadliest Decembers to date when it comes to weather, according to the National Weather Service.

The at least 13 tornadoes that ripped through communities in Middle Tennessee on Saturday left six people confirmed dead in Clarksville and Madison. Along with the fatalities, dozens more were sent to local hospitals with injuries and others were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical, unstable condition for treatment.

So far, the National Weather Service has rated two of the tornadoes that touched down this weekend.

The Clarksville tornado was rated an EF-3, with winds of 150 mph. The Madison/Hendersonville/Gallatin tornado received a preliminary rating of EF-2, with winds of 125 mph. Others are still being assessed for a rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale as of Monday morning.

Middle Tennessee is familiar to outbreaks of tornadoes. Since 1950, Middle Tennessee has seen hundreds of tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's a look at some of the deadliest tornadoes to hit Middle Tennessee and some of the biggest outbreaks.

What are some of the largest tornado outbreaks for Middle Tennessee?

The National Weather Service has tracked tornado data for Middle Tennessee since the 1800s. Here are some of the biggest outbreaks since then, not counting the most recent devastating outbreak.

What is considered the deadliest tornado outbreak to hit Middle Tennessee?

The deadliest tornado that hit Middle Tennessee happened in 1909, according to NWS. A total of six tornadoes touched down and 62 people were killed.

Considered one of the worst tornado outbreaks in the history of the United States, the deadly storm outbreak struck the region from the evening hours on April 29, 1909, through the night and into the next day.

What is the deadliest tornado to hit Middle Tennessee?

On May 10, 1933, an F4 tornado touched down in northern Overton County.

An F-4 category for a tornado could reach speeds of 207 mph to upwards of 260 mph. It was also a long tornado, it moved for 20 miles from near Livingston to near Byrdstown, according to the National Weather Service historical data. The half-mile wide funnel destroyed every home in the community and killed or injured virtually every resident.

Thirty-five people were killed in what is considered the deadliest single tornado to hit the area.

Deadly Tennessee tornadoes in the last 20 years

Many of the more destructive and deadly tornadoes took place much before modern infrastructure and the ability to warn communities of potentially deadly weather. Modern abilities and precautions aside, tornadoes produced in severe weather can still be very deadly. Here are tornadoes that have roared through communities on a deadly path in the last 20 years.

March 3, 2020: Tornadoes, Davidson, Wilson and Putnam counties — EF-4/EF-3

A string of tornadoes, including an EF-3 that traveled 60 miles, tore through Middle Tennessee from March 2, 2020 into March 3, 2020.

Deaths: 25

People injured: 220

Feb. 5, 2008: Tornado in Gallatin and Lafayette — EF-3

Sumner, Trousdale and Macon counties took the brunt of a string of tornadoes that stretched from Texas to Ohio. The destruction brought President George W. Bush to Middle Tennessee to assess the damage and speak to victims.

Deaths: 22

People injured: 63

April 7, 2006: Gallatin tornado — EF-3

At least 11 tornadoes hit in April 2006, Gallatin and Sumner County took the brunt of it. All fatalities happened in Gallatin, and Volunteer State Community College was heavily damaged.

Deaths: 7

People injured: 128

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee tornadoes: Some of the deadliest storms in Nashville area