How Nashville ranks among other metro cities for high-intensity tornadoes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Tornado season is underway and now is the time to prepare for any potential severe weather in the Mid State.

Luckily, over the last 20 years, the number of violent tornadoes has decreased, according to the website Captain Experiences which released a new study about the U.S. locations with the largest increase in high-intensity tornadoes over the last 20 years.

High-intensity tornadoes were considered to be those categorized as EF2 or higher on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

The study details these key takeaways:

• During the 20-year period ending in November 2023, the Nashville metro area endured 24 high-intensity tornadoes — 7 fewer than the previous 20-year span.
• Overall, tornadoes resulted in 39 fatalities and 495 injuries.
• In terms of the impact on property, the Nashville metro faced average annual damages of just under $110 million each year of the study period.

Tornadoes have impacted all U.S. states during the last decade, with the exception of Alaska, causing $14.1 billion in damages. Half of that damage occurred in just five states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, and Texas. This demonstrates the pronounced shift eastward from Tornado Alley to “Dixie Alley”—the area roughly stretching from eastern Texas to the western borders of the Carolinas.

Some metro cities that saw an increase of EF-2 tornadoes or greater include Birmingham, Alabama, Kansas City, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois.

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