EF1 Tornado — Roane, Tennessee

2023-08-03 · near Cave Creek, Roane, Tennessee

Event narrative

The tornado touched down in the community of Oral in eastern Roane County near the intersection of country lane and Highway 70. The tornado tracked eastward along Highway 70 for a half mile before dissipating near Oral Cemetery. The most significant damage occurred near the beginning of the track where a small detached garage was destroyed and debris strewn about 100 yards in different directions. A few trees were uprooted and homes and fences suffered minor damage. As the tornado continued east, damage was mainly limited to small branches broken from trees. Dissipation at Oral Cemetery was noted with a metal roof sheet laying in the cemetery and an end to minor vegetation damage.

Wider weather episode

A line of rain showers was moving eastward along a frontal boundary during the afternoon. A brief spin up tornado occurred with one of these stronger rain showers within an area of weak rotation across eastern Roane County near the Oral community. Severe downdraft winds occurred sporadically in association with this briefly tornadic thunderstorm.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.8367, -84.3675)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1112176. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.