Putnam storm history
Storm events recorded in Putnam, Tennessee between 1950 and 2025.
629
Total events
20
Tornadoes
118
Hail
74
Floods
30
Deaths
$152.4M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
An historic, violent EF-4 tornado began in western Putnam County northwest of Baxter and tracked eastward for over 8 miles before lifting near downtown Cookeville, damaging or destroying dozens of homes and businesses, killing 19 people, and injuring 88 others. The tornado began …
Eight homes were destroyed and 15 others were damaged. One person was trapped in a van after a tree was knocked down on top of it.
The tornado touched down 1.5 miles east of exit #280 on I-40. The tornado continued for about 12.2 miles. One person was killed, and another person was injured inside a mobile home on Pippin Road and near Anderson Rd. The time of the fatality was around 11:15 AM CST. The storm ri…
Lightning struck an apartment building at Eagle Summit Apartments at Tennessee Tech University along Willow Avenue near Cookeville, causing a fire. All occupants were evacuated, and firefighters put out the fire just after 7 AM local time. Four apartments were destroyed, impactin…
Freezing rain brought ice accumulations up to 1/2 inch across Putnam County, resulting in dozens of downed trees, power lines, and power poles. Some trees, power lines, and power poles fell onto homes and blocked numerous roads. Parts of Putnam County were without electricity for…
A NWS storm survey found a severe 15 mile long by 1 to 2 mile wide downburst caused major damage across Cookeville and surrounding areas of central Putnam County. Damage was first reported east of Bloomington Springs where trees and power lines were blown down. Scattered tree and…
Snow and sleet accumulations up to 0.5 fell during the late afternoon on February 20, followed by freezing rain with ice accumulations ranging from 0.25 in western parts of Putnam County up to 1 in eastern areas from the evening on February 20 into the early morning hours on Febr…
Pippen Road was under 3 to 4 inches of water. Rickman Road near Spring Creek Road area was reported to be flooded. Swiftly moving water was crossing McBroom Chapel Road. Near this same area, a house was flooded and three vehicles were submerged. Portion of Dodson Branch Highway a…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees across western and central Putnam County. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Very strong thunderstorm winds caused significant damage in the Monterey area. On Belmont Road, a tree fell onto a home which caused siding damage. Also on Belmont Road, a tree fell onto another home, this time causing more significant damage as the tree fell into the home which …
Lightning Lightning
A water main line was struck by lightning south of Monterey, causing the loss of 500,000 gallons of water. Damages are a rough estimate.
High Wind High Wind
Very strong non-thunderstorm winds in excess of 60 mph were measured in several locations across Putnam County. The strongest wind gust measured in the county was 66 mph near Pleasant Hill. These winds caused widespread damage, including multiple downed trees and powerlines which…
Tornado EF1 Tornado
This EF-1 tornado touched down near Cyphers Drive in northern Putnam County where tree damage was found. As the tornado continued east, there was additional tree damage found along Cindy Drive along with roof damage and significant garage damage to homes on Malone Lane. The torna…
Drought Drought
Severe drought conditions from January 2025 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought across Putnam County in February.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snow totals across Putnam County generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches. The highest snow report received was from Monterey where a member of the public measured 4.5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Putnam County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Drought Drought
Severe drought conditions from December 2024 continued in January 2025 across eastern Putnam County.
Drought Drought
Severe drought conditions from November 2024 improved in December across Putnam County, but severe drought conditions persisted across eastern portions of the county.
Drought Drought
Despite improving in October 2024, drought conditions worsened again across Putnam County in November with severe drought conditions areawide.
Drought Drought
Severe drought conditions from September 2024 improved in October with abnormally dry conditions across Putnam County.
Drought Drought
Drought conditions deteriorated across Putnam County during the month of September 2024 with severe drought conditions present across the entire county.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a tree onto a home in Baxter, briefly trapping an occupant. No injuries were known, and damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines across Putnam County, including on Gainesboro Road at Foster Circle near Cookeville. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines across Putnam County, including on Bunker Hill at Tanasi Trail south of Cookeville. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines across Putnam County, including on Mount Pleasant Road east of Cookeville. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines across Putnam County, including on Phiefer Mountain Road southeast of Cookeville. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines across Putnam County, including on Carr Ridge Road near Baxter. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines across Putnam County, including on the 1500 block of Nashville Highway near Baxter. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines across Putnam County, including on Walker Mountain Road at Alfs Way east of Cookeville. Damages are a rough estimate.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Heavy rain caused numerous roads to flood with several vehicles stranded in and around Cookeville. A few homes and businesses were also flooded. Roads that were flooded included Highway 111 at East 10th Street, Willow Avenue at the railroad overpass, Willow Avenue at State Highwa…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Heavy rain across Putnam County flooded several roads in Algood. Roads impacted included Whiteaker Springs at Fisk Road, Quinland Lake at RC Buck Road, Buck Mountain Road, Medley Ammonnette at Hopewell Road, and Macedonia Cemetary at Johnny Stamps Road. Damages are not known.
Drought Drought
Drought conditions worsened across Putnam County during the month of July 2024, peaking to severe drought conditions in mid-July. By the end of the month, drought conditions improved to moderate drought conditions.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A powerline was downed across West Spring Street at Scott Avenue in Cookeville. A tree was also reported down on East Broad Street. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down on Brotherton Mountain Road at East Wall Avenue in Algood. Damages are a rough estimate.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Heavy rain caused flash flooding across Putnam County, particularly in Algood where North Allen Road and Dodson Branch Highway were reported to be flooded and impassable. Damages are not known.
Hail Hail
Estimated quarter size hail was reported from a severe thunderstorm near Baxter.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Heavy rain in the Cookeville and Algood areas caused flooding along several streets. As reported by the emergency managers, Free Hill Road, Choate Cemetary Road, Jefferson Avenue, Dirty Road, Dogwood Drive in Cookeville were impassable. In Algood, Main Street and Patton Street we…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Heavy snow fell across Putnam County with various sources reporting about 4 to 6 inches of snow. The highest snow report was received from a CoCoRaHS observer near Cookeville who measured 6 inches of snow.
High Wind High Wind
A peak wind gust of 66 mph was reported in Monterey.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Strong winds across Putnam County resulted in numerous reports of downed trees. Near Cookeville, a tree fell on a house on Farmington Drive while another tree fell onto a home along Cumber Lane. A tree was also reported down on East 13th Street near the Tennessee Tech campus. Nea…
Drought Drought
Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.
Drought Drought
Severe drought conditions from November 2023 across Putnam County worsened in December with extreme drought conditions across the county.
Drought Drought
Severe drought conditions from October 2023 continued across Putnam County in November.
Drought Drought
Drought conditions across Putnam County quickly deteriorated through the month of October with moderate to severe drought conditions observed across the entire county by the end of the month.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds in Baxter downed several trees including one on Thomas Twin Oak Road, one on Baxter Road, and another on Waterplant Road. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds snapped a tree in Silver Point which fell on top of a home, causing minor roofing and gutter damage. Damages are a rough estimate.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Heavy rain in the Monterey area caused flooding of several roads and one unknown business. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and powerlines in the Baxter area as well as across Putnam County. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and powerlines along Benson in Algood. Damages are a rough estimate.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Severe thunderstorm winds caused multiple power outages across southern Putnam County. A reported 2,002 customers were without power due to downed trees and power lines. Damages are a rough estimate.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 1 |
| 2024 | 24 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 0 |
| 2022 | 24 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 1 |
| 2020 | 16 | 4 |
| 2019 | 20 | 0 |
| 2018 | 33 | 0 |
| 2017 | 32 | 2 |
| 2016 | 25 | 0 |
| 2015 | 17 | 1 |
| 2014 | 14 | 0 |
| 2013 | 35 | 0 |
| 2012 | 28 | 1 |
| 2011 | 37 | 0 |
| 2010 | 20 | 0 |
| 2009 | 19 | 1 |
| 2008 | 24 | 0 |
| 2007 | 11 | 0 |
| 2006 | 9 | 0 |
| 2005 | 12 | 0 |
| 2004 | 24 | 0 |
| 2003 | 21 | 1 |
| 2002 | 24 | 0 |
| 2001 | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 | 16 | 0 |
| 1999 | 13 | 0 |
| 1998 | 23 | 0 |
| 1997 | 13 | 1 |
| 1996 | 8 | 0 |
| 1995 | 9 | 1 |
| 1994 | 2 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 | 1 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 2 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 |
| 1975 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 2 | 1 |
| 1973 | 1 | 1 |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1965 | 2 | 0 |
| 1963 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 |
| 1956 | 1 | 1 |
| 1955 | 1 | 1 |