Rare August tornado is the strongest to hit Knox County in 30 years. Here’s where it ranks

Devarrick Turner, Knoxville News Sentinel
·2 min read
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The destructive storm that hit Knoxville was a stark reminder that, though they are sporadic, tornadoes can and do touch down in East Tennessee.

The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF2 tornado hit parts of West Knox County on Aug. 7, causing major damage to Lovell Crossings Apartments and the surrounding area. The tornado had peak winds of 130 mph, was 200 yards wide and traversed 3.8 miles.

Tornadoes are rated on the Enhanced Fujita Scale based on estimated wind speeds and related damage. The scale ranges from EF0 to EF5. NWS classifies an EF2 as a “strong” tornado, capable of winds 111-135 mph.

So how does this tornado compare to others that have touched down here in the past?

The strongest tornadoes to touch down in Knoxville

Fifteen tornadoes touched down in Knox County between 1950 and 2022, according to the National Weather Service, making the Aug. 7 tornado the 16th in over 70 years.

With an EF2 rating, this week’s twister is the strongest in Knox County since 1993 when an EF3, which has 136-165 mph winds, ripped through parts of Knox and Anderson counties, beginning in Oak Ridge, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s storm events database.

Damaging homes and businesses and knocking over electric transmission towers, the 1993 tornado caused $5 million in property damage, the NOAA database noted.

EF2 tornadoes touched down in Knox County in 1953 and 1965, NWS and NOAA records show. The only tornado on record to cause fatalities in the county was an EF1 in 1974. It killed two people and injured 21.

There have been 253 confirmed tornadoes in East Tennessee since 1950, including at least seven so far in 2023.

No warning: Why wasn't there a tornado warning this week? Here's why the storm was so unusual

EF1 and higher tornadoes that have touched down in Knox County

Based on NOAA data, have been nearly 10 tornadoes in Knox County with EF1 or higher ratings.

  • EF3 – Feb. 21, 1993 (Oak Ridge to Northbrook)

  • EF2 – Aug. 7, 2023 (Hardin Valley)

  • EF2 – April 5, 1965 (Near concord to Bearden)

  • EF2 – May 2, 1953 (Near Power)

  • EF1 – May 15, 2003 (Two tornadoes touched down in South Knoxville)

  • EF1 – May 23, 2000 (Powell)

  • EF1 – May 18, 1995 (Fountain City)

  • EF1 – April 3, 1974 (Near Sunrise and Skaggston)

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 2023 Knoxville EF2 tornado one of the strongest to ever hit