Decatur, TN Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Decatur is lower than Tennessee average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Decatur is lower than Tennessee average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #242
| Decatur, TN | 0.22 |
| Tennessee | 0.56 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Decatur, TN | 0.0000 |
| Tennessee | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #477
| Decatur, TN | 124.85 |
| Tennessee | 175.35 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 3,936 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Decatur, TN were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 2 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 18 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 272 | Hail: | 981 | Heat: | 10 | Heavy Snow: | 16 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 6 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 12 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,453 | Tropical Storm: | 1 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 28 | Winter Weather: | 5 |
| Other: | 132 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Decatur, TN.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 3 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Decatur, TN.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 30.7 | 1979-08-13 | 3.7 | 5 | 35.24 | -84.38 |
| 22.2 | 1977-07-27 | 3.5 | 7 | 35.42 | -84.42 |
| 32.0 | 1982-09-24 | 3.5 | 8 | 35.68 | -84.25 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 47 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Decatur, TN.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1.7 | 1953-05-02 | 4 | 35°31'N / 84°47'W | 35°31'N / 84°45'W | 2.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 4 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Meigs |
| 3.3 | 1953-05-02 | 4 | 35°31'N / 84°45'W | 35°32'N / 84°43'W | 1.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Mcminn |
| 10.4 | 1963-03-19 | 2 | 35°27'N / 84°39'W | 35°29'N / 84°36'W | 3.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Mcminn |
| 11.2 | 1994-04-15 | 3 | 35°19'N / 85°00'W | 35°26'N / 84°29'W | 15.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 7 | 5.0M | 0 | Hamilton, Meigs, Bradley And Mcminn |
| Brief Description: The tornado first touched in northern Hamilton County near the town of Grasshopper and moved northeast crossing into Meigs County just south of Birchwood. One man was killed in Birchwood when his mobile home collapsed on top of him. Two others were injured in the same area. In Hamilton County, eight homes, three mobile homes, one church, and 17 barns were damaged or destroyed. The tornado continued across southern Meigs County passing near the towns of East View and Brittsville. Three persons were injured in the county. About 25 mobile homes and six barns were damaged or destroyed. The tornado then clipped the northern part of Bradley County. Two persons were injured in the county. Ten mobile homes and 17 homes were damaged. Numerous trees were knocked down as well. The tornado then crossed into McMinn County where it moved through the towns of Lamontville, Riceville, Georgetown, and Englewood. The tornado was not on the ground during the entire trip in McMinn County, but was on the ground for much of its lifetime. When the tornado went through the town of Riceville, the local elementary school lost the roof off its concession stand and the bleachers were damaged. Numerous trees were knocked down in the county as well. One person was injured in McMinn County. M57H | |||||||||||
| 11.9 | 1974-04-08 | 3 | 35°26'N / 84°37'W | 2.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Mcminn | |
| 16.6 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 35°18'N / 84°40'W | 35°27'N / 84°28'W | 15.30 Miles | 587 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Mcminn |
| 19.1 | 1986-02-06 | 3 | 35°18'N / 84°39'W | 35°17'N / 84°36'W | 3.00 Miles | 270 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Mcminn |
| 20.0 | 1986-02-06 | 3 | 35°14'N / 84°39'W | 35°18'N / 84°39'W | 2.00 Miles | 270 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Polk |
| 20.1 | 1974-04-03 | 3 | 35°16'N / 84°38'W | 35°19'N / 84°33'W | 6.10 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 50 | 250K | 0 | Mcminn |
| 20.1 | 1965-04-15 | 3 | 35°11'N / 84°52'W | 35°18'N / 84°45'W | 10.40 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 50 | 2.5M | 0 | Bradley |
| 20.9 | 1986-02-06 | 3 | 35°14'N / 84°49'W | 35°14'N / 84°40'W | 5.00 Miles | 270 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Bradley |
| 21.0 | 1974-04-03 | 3 | 35°14'N / 84°42'W | 35°15'N / 84°40'W | 2.70 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Polk |
| 21.3 | 1974-04-03 | 3 | 35°13'N / 84°42'W | 35°16'N / 84°38'W | 5.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Polk |
| 21.4 | 1993-02-21 | 2 | 35°47'N / 84°34'W | 35°45'N / 84°31'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Blount And Loudon |
| Brief Description: The tornado that went through Loudon County continued across Blount County through the town of Friendsville and ending just west of Maryville. One large home was destroyed and several other were damaged. Numerous trees were snapped. | |||||||||||
| 23.0 | 1974-04-03 | 3 | 35°11'N / 84°52'W | 35°13'N / 84°42'W | 9.70 Miles | 500 Yards | 2 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Bradley |
| 24.0 | 1963-03-19 | 2 | 35°11'N / 84°54'W | 35°12'N / 84°51'W | 3.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Bradley |
| 24.8 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 35°31'N / 84°21'W | 1.00 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Monroe | |
| 25.3 | 1974-04-03 | 3 | 35°06'N / 84°55'W | 35°14'N / 84°42'W | 15.40 Miles | 350 Yards | 1 | 100 | 250K | 0 | Bradley |
| 25.4 | 1973-12-13 | 2 | 35°11'N / 84°39'W | 0.80 Mile | 880 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Polk | |
| 26.5 | 1965-04-15 | 3 | 35°52'N / 85°05'W | 35°52'N / 84°58'W | 6.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland |
| 27.1 | 1997-03-29 | 3 | 35°09'N / 84°54'W | 35°09'N / 84°54'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 50 | 3.2M | 0 | Bradley |
| Brief Description: In Hamilton county...the tornado first touched down in the Tiftonia community just west of downtown Chattanooga around 1:10 am EDT. As the tornado moved due east across the southern part of the county, 50 homes were completely destroyed. Another 600 homes and one business were heavily damaged. Most of the damage was concentrated in the East Brainerd community. There, about half of the 180-unit Hickory Villa apartment complex was destroyed, and 18 of 23 townhomes of the Hickory Trace complex were destroyed. Two more apartment complexes, Hickory Valley and Ledford Apartments, were severely damaged. Around 20000 homes were without electricity after the storm. Most power had been restored by Monday morning. In Bradley county...the tornado destroyed 5 poultry farms, 4 homes, and 4 mobile homes. Another 45 homes, 16 mobile homes and 3 poultry farms were damaged. | |||||||||||
| 27.9 | 2002-11-10 | 3 | 35°54'N / 85°06'W | 35°54'N / 84°54'W | 12.20 Miles | 900 Yards | 4 | 18 | 500K | 0 | Cumberland |
| Brief Description: An F3 tornado struck the Lake Tansi area and the southern sections of Crossville Sunday night, killing 4 people and injuring 18. 33 homes and mobile were destroyed and 128 homes and mobile homes were damaged. There was damage to one public building. The heaviest damage was along Lantana Drive, Dunbar Road, and Pigeon Ridge Road. 5 homes were damaged on U.S. Highway 127 and just south of Three Creek Road. One well built home lost an entire roof and several walls. The couple, their 3 children, and a guest, huddled under a mattress in the hallway. 50 acres of hardwoods were twisted and tangled. 100-year-old oak trees were snapped like wheat straws. Mobile homes on the Ballyhoo Campground and modular homes in Lake Tansi were destroyed. The four fatalities occurred in mobile homes. A couple was killed at 298 Lantana Drive when their mobile home was lifted off its foundation and placed on another trailer. Edward, 80 and Mary Laffer 75 were killed. Another couple died at 4040 Lone Wolf Circle. Robert, 55 and Sandy Scarbrough , 52, were killed and their bodies were found across Lake Mohawk. F75MH, M80MH, M55MH, F52MH 11 tornadoes were reported in Middle Tennessee in one of the worst tornadic outbreaks ever in November. 8 people...and possibly a ninth victim...were killed in Middle Tennessee alone. Damage estimate for the tornadoes in Tennessee was placed at $160 million. Primary losses were due to houses and cars. The toll on government owned infrastructure is about $6 million. The federal government is expected to reimburse the state and affected counties for 75% of the costs of responding to the disaster. The FEMA Public Assistance Program has obligated more than $3.6 million to assist local governments. These funds will be used to reimburse local governments for debris removal, the repair of public buildings and utilities, and overtime paid to police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel. More than 900 families across the state applied for storm aid. This was the worst tornado disaster since the April3-4 outbreak in 1974. The United States Small Business Administration has approved more than 9.7 million dollars in disaster loans to assist disaster victims with repairing their property or replacing lost personal items. The 20 counties that are eligible for disaster assistance to individuals, households, and businesses were: Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Carroll, Coffee, Crockett, Cumberland, Fentress, Gibson, Henderson, Madison, Marshall, Montgomery, Morgan, Roane, Rutherford, Scott, Sumner and Tipton and Van Buren. | |||||||||||
| 28.3 | 1984-05-07 | 2 | 35°44'N / 84°21'W | 1.00 Mile | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Loudon | |
| 29.9 | 1995-05-18 | 3 | 35°48'N / 85°12'W | 35°57'N / 85°02'W | 9.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 20 | 2.0M | 0 | Cumberland |
| Brief Description: The tornado first touched down in the southwest part of Cumberland County and moved northeast. Two business were destroyed. Eleven homes and 14 mobiles homes were destroyed. Many other homes were damaged. One house had a gas leak in it prompting emergency management officials to evacuate a handful of nearby residents. Other homes had roof damage. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down. | |||||||||||
| 32.6 | 1994-06-26 | 2 | 35°20'N / 85°19'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Sequatchie | |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down near Lewis Chapel. A church and a mobile home and another mobile home were destroyed. Two other homes were damaged. Several trees were blown down as well. | |||||||||||
| 33.1 | 1980-04-28 | 2 | 35°15'N / 84°20'W | 35°16'N / 84°17'W | 3.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Monroe |
| 34.8 | 2009-04-10 | 2 | 35°21'N / 85°22'W | 5.00 Miles | 175 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0K | Sequatchie | |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An F2 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 120 mph occurred around 2 miles south of Dunlap. The tornado initially touched down along Frank Tate Road with a maximum wind speed of 90 mph (EF-1) and a width of 100 yards. The tornado continued in a northeast path and increased in size to an EF-2 with a maximum wind speed of 120 mph and a width of 175 yards. Several large hardwood trees were snapped off near the trunk base with extensive damage occurring in a concentrated path. The tornado continued its northeast movement and finally weakened to a EF-1 with a maximum wind speed of 100 mph as it dissipated at the foothill of Signal Mountain. A school and several homes suffered minor to moderate wind damage along the nearly 5 mile of the tornado. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A cold front tracked across east Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours. The resulting squall line triggered numerous thunderstorm wind damage reports along with large hail. Three tornadoes were also reported. One person was injured. | |||||||||||
| 35.0 | 1972-06-28 | 2 | 36°00'N / 85°02'W | 0.10 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cumberland | |
| 36.1 | 1964-08-12 | 2 | 35°22'N / 85°24'W | 0.80 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 6 | 25K | 0 | Sequatchie | |
| 36.3 | 2010-10-26 | 2 | 35°07'N / 85°11'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 200K | 0K | Hamilton | |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: NWS storm survey determined an EF2 tornado with maximum wind speed of 125 mph and a length of 1.2 miles with a path width of 100 yards touched down in the vicinity of the Chickamauga Dam. Damage from the storm included a roof torn off an apartment complex, a cement plant demolished, several vehicles on Highway 153 damaged and numerous trees and powerlines downed. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A cold front tracked through the region triggering scattered severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. Storm reports contained mainly damaging thunderstorm wind, but an EF2 tornado formed in Hamilton County. Six people were injured. Tornadoes also formed in Bradley, Loudon and Marion Counties. | |||||||||||
| 36.7 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 35°40'N / 84°10'W | 35°40'N / 84°09'W | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Loudon | ||
| 36.9 | 1974-03-21 | 2 | 35°00'N / 84°45'W | 0.80 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Polk | |
| 37.4 | 2010-04-25 | 2 | 35°37'N / 84°08'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20K | 0K | Blount | |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The NWS storm survey determined a tornado tracked from Loudon County for one-half of a mile along Thompson Bridge road. It was classified as an EF2 tornado with winds estimated at 110 mph with a path width of 100 yards. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong low pressure system along with an associated cold front tracked across the area triggering thunderstorms during the evening and overnight hours. A tornado touched down in eastern Monroe County, then tracked across southern Loudon County and finally dissipated in western Blount County. Another weak tornado touched down briefly in Polk County. | |||||||||||
| 37.8 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 35°57'N / 85°17'W | 36°01'N / 85°04'W | 12.90 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 20 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland |
| 38.2 | 2002-11-10 | 3 | 36°02'N / 84°36'W | 36°03'N / 84°27'W | 8.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 7 | 28 | 968K | 0 | Morgan |
| Brief Description: A strong F3 tornado (with wind speeds estimated around 175 mph) touched down 4.4 miles south of Wartburg in the Mossy Grove community killing 5 people and injuring 28. This tornado then struck Joyner at 8:40 P.M. killing two more people for a total of 7 dead. The tornado damaged 63 homes while destroying 24 others. In addition, 18 mobile homes were damaged and 12 others were destroyed. M47PH, F36PH, F73PH, M55VE, F1VE, M45PH, F93PH | |||||||||||
| 39.5 | 2002-11-10 | 2 | 35°45'N / 85°28'W | 35°45'N / 85°25'W | 2.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 75K | 0 | Van Buren |
| Brief Description: EMA reported a frame house was demolished at intersection of Highway 111 and Highway 30. 11 tornadoes were reported in Middle Tennessee in one of the worst tornadic outbreaks ever in November. 8 people...and possibly a ninth victim...were killed in Middle Tennessee alone. Damage estimate for the tornadoes in Tennessee was placed at $160 million. Primary losses were due to houses and cars. The toll on government owned infrastructure is about $6 million. The federal government is expected to reimburse the state and affected counties for 75% of the costs of responding to the disaster. The FEMA Public Assistance Program has obligated more than $3.6 million to assist local governments. These funds will be used to reimburse local governments for debris removal, the repair of public buildings and utilities, and overtime paid to police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel. More than 900 families across the state applied for storm aid. This was the worst tornado disaster since the April3-4 outbreak in 1974. The United States Small Business Administration has approved more than 9.7 million dollars in disaster loans to assist disaster victims with repairing their property or replacing lost personal items. The 20 counties that are eligible for disaster assistance to individuals, households, and businesses were: Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Carroll, Coffee, Crockett, Cumberland, Fentress, Gibson, Henderson, Madison, Marshall, Montgomery, Morgan, Roane, Rutherford, Scott, Sumner and Tipton and Van Buren. | |||||||||||
| 40.1 | 1997-03-28 | 2 | 35°28'N / 85°33'W | 35°29'N / 85°27'W | 6.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | Sequatchie |
| Brief Description: The tornado started in the Savage Gulf State Natural area and went about 6 miles. It damaged 5 structures...including a grocery store in the Savage Gulf State Natural Area. The Tennessee Nitrate Technologies were completely destroyed near the junction of RT 111 and RT 8. The tornado dissipated on Mc Carver Loop Road. Tornado path length and width are approximations. | |||||||||||
| 40.5 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 35°56'N / 85°20'W | 35°57'N / 85°17'W | 3.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 8 | 25K | 0 | White |
| 42.2 | 1997-03-29 | 3 | 35°03'N / 85°19'W | 35°03'N / 85°11'W | 8.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 44 | 45.0M | 0 | Hamilton |
| Brief Description: In Hamilton county...the tornado first touched down in the Tiftonia community just west of downtown Chattanooga around 1:10 am EDT. As the tornado moved due east across the southern part of the county, 50 homes were completely destroyed. Another 600 homes and one business were heavily damaged. Most of the damage was concentrated in the East Brainerd community. There, about half of the 180-unit Hickory Villa apartment complex was destroyed, and 18 of 23 townhomes of the Hickory Trace complex were destroyed. Two more apartment complexes, Hickory Valley and Ledford Apartments, were severely damaged. Around 20000 homes were without electricity after the storm. Most power had been restored by Monday morning. In Bradley county...the tornado destroyed 5 poultry farms, 4 homes, and 4 mobile homes. Another 45 homes, 16 mobile homes and 3 poultry farms were damaged. | |||||||||||
| 42.3 | 1957-04-08 | 2 | 36°06'N / 85°06'W | 36°06'N / 85°03'W | 2.70 Miles | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Cumberland |
| 42.4 | 1975-04-24 | 2 | 36°03'N / 85°12'W | 1.50 Miles | 440 Yards | 1 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland | |
| 43.4 | 1995-04-21 | 2 | 35°03'N / 85°17'W | 10.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0.1M | 0 | Hamilton | |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down over parts of suburban Chattanooga. The tornado most of its damage in a 16-block area. Overall 80 buildings were damaged. Of the 80 buildings damaged, 50 of them were homes and 30 of the buildings were businesses. Several apartments suffered roof damage and 43 persons were evacuated. | |||||||||||
| 47.5 | 1955-03-25 | 2 | 36°01'N / 84°25'W | 36°12'N / 84°14'W | 16.30 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 47.5 | 1961-03-08 | 2 | 34°54'N / 85°18'W | 34°56'N / 85°02'W | 15.20 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Catoosa |
| 47.8 | 1973-03-15 | 2 | 35°55'N / 85°30'W | 0.10 Mile | 100 Yards | 1 | 3 | 250K | 0 | White | |
| 49.3 | 1965-04-15 | 2 | 35°52'N / 84°05'W | 35°57'N / 84°00'W | 7.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Knox |
| 49.7 | 1974-04-03 | 4 | 34°57'N / 84°18'W | 34°58'N / 84°13'W | 5.10 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Fannin |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.