16 years since Super Tuesday tornado outbreak hit Middle Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - 16 years ago, Middle Tennessee experienced the eighth deadliest tornado outbreak in its history.

On Feb. 5, 2008, a 12-hour tornado outbreak occurred during the evening and into early morning.

The Super Tuesday tornado outbreak is remembered for producing 87 tornadoes that hit nine states, including Tennessee and Kentucky. The outbreak caused 57 deaths in four of those states, making it the second deadliest February tornado outbreak since 1950.

This list shows the 10 largest tornado outbreaks in Middle Tennessee.(wsmv)

It was not only a large tornado outbreak, but also a deadly one in Middle Tennessee, with 22 lives lost.

One of the more notable tornadoes from this outbreak was in the counties of Sumner, Trousdale, Macon, Monroe and Cumberland. This tornado was rated an EF-3 and was on the ground for 50 miles. This particular tornado caused the 22 fatalities mentioned previously.

There was another EF-3 tornado that moved through Macon, Allen and Monroe County. This particular tornado caused four fatalities.

The first several months of the year have traditionally been the most active for tornadoes in... — The first several months of the year have traditionally been the most active for tornadoes in the Mid State.(wsmv)

Tornadoes have been recorded in Middle Tennessee every month of the year since the 1800s. While most tornadoes occur in the spring, it’s important to remain vigilant even during winter.