CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The National Weather Service, Nashville office, has confirmed through damage reports that Sunday’s high winds and extreme storms created a weak tornado in north Clarksville.

At about 9:35 p.m. Sunday, an EF-0 tornado touched down in a neighborhood south of Cole Park Golf Course on Fort Campbell, the NWS said. The tornado had 75 mph winds and a path about 200 yards wide. Damage consisted of shingles off the roofs as well as some small tree limbs snapped.

The tornado continued east toward Fort Campbell Boulevard, where an overhang structure was blown down at a car wash. The tornado then moved northeast through additional neighborhoods and across Clarksville Regional Airport. Damage in the neighborhoods included rotten trees downed, tree branches snapped, downed fences, shingles blown off roofs, and occasional vinyl siding and metal fascia damage, the NWS said. The tornado uprooted a few trees on a farm just northeast of the airfield.

The tornado then continued northeast into a large neighborhood, causing additional minor structural and roof damage to several homes and snapping small tree limbs, the NWS said.

The tornado covered a little over 5 miles in all before dissipating at 9:40 p.m. in an open field in the Bruceton Drive neighborhood near the Tennessee/Kentucky state line. No additional damage was found north of Allen Road.

Beware storm-chaser contractors

In the aftermath of this and other severe storms, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging homeowners to keep a watchful eye against storm chasers: contractors who follow storms to target people in need of urgent repairs. Many homeowners face intense pressure to get their roofs, siding and other structural issues fixed. This urgency can create opportunity for dishonest or unqualified contractors, the BBB said.

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“After severe weather, scammers know people are stressed and eager to restore safety to their homes,” said Robyn Householder, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky.

Storm chasers often appear shortly after severe weather events, going door-to-door to homeowners with promises of fast and low-cost repairs. While some may be legitimate, others may lack proper licensing, offer temporary fixes, or make promises they fail to deliver. 

“That’s exactly when dishonest contractors show up with quick fix promises that can end up costing consumers far more in the long run,” Householder said.

What to look for

BBB encourages people to watch for these warning signs: 

  • Contractors who show up uninvited or pressure you to act immediately. 
  • Requests for large up-front payments before work begins. 
  • Offers that seem too good to be true. 
  • Lack of proper licensing, insurance or local references. 
  • Contractors asking you to sign over insurance checks. 

What can you do to prevent scams

BBB emphasizes that taking a few extra steps before hiring a contractor can prevent long-term costly mistakes and ensure repairs are completed safely and professionally by trained and qualified professionals.

Homeowners are encouraged to report suspicious activity to BBB Scam Tracker, and to seek out BBB Accredited Businesses when making hiring decisions. 

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