Tennessee’s 2022 tornado season was surprisingly mild compared to recent years, with only six twisters making landfall in 2022, according to data from that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). [1] But 2023 saw the number of twisters increase, with 53 tornadoes reported across the state. [2]
The Volunteer State may see even more tornadoes in 2024, given that experts are predicting an above-average tornado season that's fueled by climate change. [3] We break down everything you need to know about tornadoes and home insurance in Tennessee to ensure you're fully prepared.
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When is tornado season in Tennessee?
Peak tornado season in Tennessee runs March through May each year. However, there’s a secondary season in the fall that brings a high number of tornadoes during November.
Tornadoes are ripe to form when warm, moist air collides with colder air above. The combination of these two sets of winds blowing in opposite directions creates a wind shear, which then leads to the formation of a twister.
While Tennesseans experience tornadoes during all 12 months of the year, they should be especially prepared during spring and fall.
Where do tornadoes hit the most in Tennessee?
Shelby County — home to Memphis — experiences the most tornadoes of any other county in Tennessee, ringing in at 56 twisters in total from 1950 to 2022, according to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [4] The runner up is Davidson County — home to Nashville — which saw 50 tornadoes during that same time period.
Tornadoes by county in Tennessee
Here’s a complete look at the total number of tornadoes in each county in Tennessee from 1950 to 2022, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. [5]
Where is Tornado Alley in Tennessee?
Tennessee is not part of Tornado Alley, but it is in the tornado-prone Dixie Alley — the South’s version of Tornado Alley that also sees a disproportionately high number of twisters each year compared to other parts of the U.S.
Which city in Tennessee has the most tornadoes?
Shelby County — home to Memphis — sees the most tornadoes each year, totaling 56 twisters from 1950 to 2022.
What month does Tennessee get tornadoes?
Tennessee residents experience tornadoes every month of the year, though the majority of twisters occur in April, May, and March.
Tornadoes in Tennessee over the last 25 years
Since 1997, Tennessee has averaged 31 tornadoes each year, according to data from the NWS.
Here’s a breakdown of how many twisters touched down in the Volunteer State over the last 25 years.
Total number of tornadoes by month in Tennessee
The month of April sees the most tornadoes in Tennessee, followed by May then March. The months of September, August, and July see the least amount of tornadoes.
Here’s the total number of tornadoes per month in Tennessee between 1811 and 2022, according to the Natonal Weather Service (NWS).
Does home insurance in Tennessee cover tornado damage?
Homeowners insurance in Tennessee covers damage caused by tornadoes, including the wind, hail, and rain that accompany them. However, water damage from flooding that occurs during a tornado would not be covered under your standard home insurance policy — you’ll need separate flood insurance for that.
How to prepare for tornado season in Tennessee
From installing storm-proof shutters on your windows to knowing where to take shelter should a disaster strike, here are a few ways to prepare for tornado season in Tennessee.
1. Get your home ready for severe weather
This includes trimming tree limbs that hang close to your roof, removing dead trees from your yard, cleaning up any heavy debris (i.e. branches, bricks, firewood) on your property, and moving lawn furniture inside when a twister nears. If you live in an area especially prone to tornadoes, consider installing storm-proof window shutters or upgrading to an impact-resistant roof — doing this could actually result in a discount on your home insurance premiums.
2. Make an emergency kit
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends packing a few bags with essentials you can easily grab as you take shelter when a tornado nears. [6] Some items to pack in your emergency kit include: water, non-perishable foods and baby formula, a can opener, moist towelettes and trash bags, batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit, portable cell phone chargers, a battery-powered radio, and a whistle to signal for help.
3. Find a place to take shelter
While no place will keep you completely safe during a tornado, hunkering down in a basement or inside a windowless room on the lowest floor of your home is your safest bet. For even more protection, take shelter under something sturdy like a heavy table or workbench, cover yourself with a blanket or mattress, and protect your head from flying debris.
4. Know the signs of a tornado
If you live in an area of Tennessee at high risk for tornadoes, knowing what to look for during a severe weather storm can help you stay prepared. Be on the lookout for rotating, funnel-shaped clouds, low-lying clouds of debris, large hail, a dark or green-colored sky, and a loud roar that sounds like a freight train — all of these could forewarn a tornado is near.
5. Sign up for severe weather alerts
Anyone can sign up for severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service via text, email, or phone. In addition, a few cities in Tennessee including Nashville, Franklin, and Spring Hill have outdoor warning siren systems to warn residents to take shelter indoors during extreme weather conditions, including tornadoes.
6. Stay up to date on changing weather conditions
On top of signing up for weather alerts and keeping your ears to the ground for any outdoor warning sirens, staying up to date on changing weather conditions via your local news and radio stations or even through social media can help you know when a tornado is near.
