Updated with new damage totals.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The National Weather Service has completed a survey of damage from the tornado that hit Clarksville, determining that it was an EF-3 with 150 mph winds. The path of destruction was 600 yards wide and 11.33 miles long.
The tornado first touched down at 1:41 p.m. on Fort Campbell just north of the Sabre Airfield with mostly minor tree damage, according to the NWS report. “It quickly intensified as crossed Walnut Grove Road and destroyed a building next to a church.” This was the Clarksville School of Fine Arts.
“The tornado then continued northeast and damaged dozens of homes in a neighborhood along Garrettsburg Road near Purple Heart Highway,” the report said. At this point, it was an EF2/120 mph tornado.
“The tornado then went through a heavily wooded neighborhood south of Britton Springs Road where dozens of mobile and manufactured homes were destroyed. The tornado crossed into another neighborhood causing heavy damage in and near Eva Drive, with several houses shifted off their foundations that were only attached with straight nails,” the NWS said.
“The tornado intensified to EF-3 (140 mph) as it crossed Highway 41 and struck several commercial businesses, including a vacant fast food restaurant and strip mall where only the interior remained.”
“Just east of Highway 41 north of Ringgold Road, another neighborhood was struck with several homes sustaining significant damage. As the tornado continued northeast, it strengthened further to EF-3 (150 mph), destroying four two-story brick and vinyl siding homes on Henry Place Boulevard.”
Henry Place is where two people were killed in separate houses: Donna Allen, 59, of Florida, and Arlan Coty, 10.
“Debris was blown across the field towards West Creek Elementary School, where the school sustained roof damage. As the tornado crossed Peachers Mill Road, two dozen brand new two-story brick apartment homes were severely damaged with roofs missing on at least a dozen of these structures. Dozens more houses suffered significant roof damage along and near Needmore Road and Tiny Town Rd (EF-2),” the NWS report said.
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“The tornado then crossed Interstate 24 at Trenton Road, where numerous cedar trees were uprooted. Continuing across Tylertown Road, the tornado caused EF-1 to EF-2 damage roof and siding damage to dozens of homes across three neighborhoods before moving into Kentucky.”
The storm crossed the state line at 1:56 p.m., for a 15-minute tornado event.
Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency officials said 243 “residential sites” were destroyed. Another 1,711 had damage. EMA noted that a “residential site” could be an individual home or a housing unit, such as a duplex or apartments.
In all, 1,974 residential sites, 58 commercial sites and 3 public facilities were hit by the tornado, the EMA said.
MORE: Interactive Montgomery County Assessor of Property’s Office map of tornado’s radar debris path
MORE: How to help tornado recovery in Clarksville with supplies, food, volunteering, donations and more
MORE: Do you need help? Shelter, supplies, laundry, storage, food and more available in Clarksville