November 10, 2002 Tornado Outbreak

Port Royal, TN photos:

Photo #1: Aftermath of an F1 tornado in Port Royal (Montgomery County)
Photo #2: What is left of a home after an F1 tornado in Montgomery County
Photo #3: Original map of Port Royal and Portland tornado tracks

Portland, TN photos:

Photo #1: The remains of vehicles after a F2 tornado ripped through Portland
Photo #2: Debris from F2 tornado in Portland
Photo #3: Original map of Port Royal and Portland tornado tracks

Damage:

STORM DATA - Near New Roe, KY, a large mobile home was lifted into the air, twisted, and tumbled down a hill. The home did have substantial tie downs which were ripped from the ground. One of the tie downs was bent into a "U" shape. Debris was blown across New Roe Road, about a quarter mile away. Other tree damage and minor structural damage was noted downwind from the mobile home site.

SHAMBURGER (2024) - Although not in official records, radar data and high resolution satellite imagery indicate this tornado actually began in extreme northern Sumner County, Tennessee east of Cameron Way, where several trees were blown down (F0) for about 3/4 mile. The tornado then moved northeast across the border into Kentucky west of North Jones Road, passing roughly along Clare New Roe Road then over New Roe Road where it caused the damage mentioned in Storm Data before lifting. Total path length was around 2.75 miles with a path width around 50 yards wide..

Damage:

STORM DATA - NWS Storm Survey indicated straight line winds. Some damage to homes with numerous trees and power lines down. 2 chicken houses were destroyed on the Chella LaRue farm. 2 businesses were damaged on U.S. Highway 127 South. Susan's Quilt Shop sustained damage to the roof and siding. Across the street, the Fentress Auto Repair was practically destroyed when the back portion of the metal building was blown out. A large tree fell on a home on Wayman Beaty Rd.

SHAMBURGER (2024) - Although listed as straight line winds in Storm Data, radar data and high resolution satellite imagery clearly indicate this was a supercell tornado in the Grimsley area of Fentress County. The tornado began west of Highway 127 and Thacker Road, then moved east damaging the businesses near the Thacker Road/Highway 127 intersection mentioned in Storm Data. Continuing eastward, the tornado blew down dozens of trees in forests and caused minor damage to homes and outbuildings along Burks Loop, Goney Road, the North Prong Clear Fork Creek, Wayman Beaty Road, Banner Roslin Road, Banner Springs Road, and Joe Rogers Road before lifting near Terry Lane. Total path length was around 4.3 miles with a path width of 200 yards. Newspaper reports mentioned some people were injured by the tornado, but Storm Data does not mention injuries and the exact number, if any, is unknown.

Damage:

STORM DATA: Law enforcement reported a tornado. No damage reported.

SHAMBURGER (2024) - It's unclear if a tornado actually occurred in this area of southern Cumberland County due to the lack of damage, but a strongly rotating supercell did move through this area at the reported time.

Damage:

STORM DATA: 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.

SHAMBURGER (2024) - This historic, massive tornado, which is the worst in Cumberland County history, was spawned by one of at least 5 different supercells that moved across the county on this evening. Radar data and high resolution satellite imagery indicate the tornado began west of Stave Mill Road about 10.6 miles southwest of Crossville, then moved northeast across Flynns Cove Road, Lantana Road, Vandever Road, then across Lantana Drive where 2 people were killed. Continuing across the northwest side of Lake Tansi and west side of Lake Mohawk, the tornado crossed Nicholson Drive, Dunbar Road, then Lone Wolf Circle where two more people were killed. Widespread damage continued through the Parkway Estates area on Old Mail Road, Coon Hollow Road, Pigeon Ridge Road, and Davidson Road. The tornado began to weaken as it crossed Highway 127 into the Highland View area, crossing Highland Lane, Highway 70, and I-40 before lifting near McGinnis Road after approximately 16 miles on the ground. The path length and path width of this tornado were both increased based on high resolution satellite imagery. Newspapers also report at least 29 injured, while Storm Data lists 18 injured, so 29 is used here.