EF1 tornado in Wilson County, Tennessee

An EF-1 tornado touched down in Wilson County. This tornado began near Vesta Road just east of the Nashville Superspeedway, causing timber damage and minor structural damage. The tornado continued northeast, causing additional damage near Flatwoods Road and Murfreesboro Road. Some homes sustained minor damage, including fences and adjacent trees snapped. The tornado then crossed E Richmond Shop Road, continuing damage to trees and structures. Continuing northeast, the tornado crossed over Cedar Forest Road where notable timber damage was found using satellite imagery. Here, swaths of hardwoods were snapped and uprooted near Steeplechase Drive. Some homes sustained minor roof damage. The tornado continued northeast, crossing Chicken Road and SE Tater Peeler Road, continuing damage to trees with at least minor structure damage. The tornado continued northeast, crossing Cainsville Road and Sparta Pike, causing additional timber damage and damaging some farm structures. The tornado then dissipated near Shop Springs Road. Damages are a rough estimate.

A major and historic multi-day severe weather event unfolded across Middle Tennessee during early April 2025. This event began during the afternoon hours of April 2nd and continued through April 6th. These first couple rounds of thunderstorms brought damaging winds and large hail along with a tornado risk. The corridor from southwest Middle Tennessee into the Nashville metro area was hit particularly hard with multiple supercells training for several hours. Large hail was reported, particularly with the early thunderstorms, with hail sizes nearing three inches. A couple of tornadoes were also confirmed with the strongest being an EF-1 tornado in Wilson County. A brief break was received on April 4th, but the event ended with a potent line of thunderstorms sweeping east through the area April 5th and into the early morning hours of April 6th. This final round of thunderstorms brought a wide swath of damaging winds to several Middle Tennessee counties, including Perry, Humphreys, Dickson, Cheatham, Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Macon, and Trousdale counties. Widespread 60-70 mph winds were common, however, embedded microbursts likely produced winds up to 90 mph in some spots. Before this line exited the area, it was responsible for producing one last EF-1 tornado in Grundy County.

These multiple rounds of thunderstorms were also responsible for widespread flooding and flash flooding. By the end of this event, highest rainfall totals were received across the northwest corner of Middle Tennessee and into the Nashville metro area where observations and radar estimates showed 6 to 12 inches of rain. Fortunately, the brief break in activity on April 4th likely prevented more significant flooding, but widespread reports of road closures and streams and creeks spilling out of banks were still received. River flooding was also a widespread issue with sixteen river gauges reaching minor flood stage and six river gauges reaching moderate flood stage.

Fortunately, no reports of injuries or fatalities were received over this prolonged severe weather event.