A highly organized mesoscale convective vorticity maximum with strong low to mid tropospheric flow coupled with moderate instability resulted in the development of discrete supercellular thunderstorms. These storms produced a long-lived tornado across Northeast Tennessee late in the afternoon and another long duration tornado across Southwest Virginia later in the evening.

Funnel Cloud in SULLIVAN, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 20:05:00 to 08-MAY-09 20:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINEY FLATS
Reported by: Public

The public reported a funnel cloud near Piney Flats.

Thunderstorm Wind in SULLIVAN, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 20:10:00 to 08-MAY-09 20:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINEY FLATS
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees were reported down in the vicinity of Piney Flats.

Tornado in MCMINN, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 16:02:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLIAMSBURG
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado briefly touched down about two miles northwest of Etowah and produced 80 mph (EF0) intensity winds. The path width was 20 yards while path length was 0.1 mile. Numerous trees and power lines were downed as a result of the tornado.

Tornado in UNION, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 17:40:00 to 08-MAY-09 17:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHARPS CHAPEL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down about a mile north northeast of Sharps Chapel. Several trees were blown over and twisted.

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 15:30:00 to 08-MAY-09 15:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLADES
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

One tree and a few power lines were reported down in the vicinity of Chestnut Ridge.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANDERSON, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 15:37:00 to 08-MAY-09 15:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: BUFFALO
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees were reported down in Northwest Anderson county.

Tornado in HANCOCK, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 18:40:00 to 08-MAY-09 18:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: BIG CREEK
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

EF0 tornado crossed over into Hancock County, Tennessee, ending about three miles west of Treadway along an east northeast path and intensified to EF1 with a maximum wind speed at 90 mph. Damage included downing of numerous trees with significant damage to several barns and outbuildings. Most single family homes along the path had roof damage.

Tornado in SCOTT, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 16:58:00 to 08-MAY-09 17:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: WINONA
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 90.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An EF2 tornado with a maximum wind speed of 135 miles an hour occurred around five miles southeast of Huntsville. The tornado initially touched down just west of the Fairview community with a maximum wind speed of 90 mph (EF-1) and a width of 100 yards. The tornado continued along an east path and increased in size and intensity to an EF-2 with a maximum wind speed at 135 mph and a width of 200 yards. Several large hardwood trees were snapped off near trunk level and a free standing cell phone tower was collapsed and twisted by the tornado winds. Extensive damage occurred in a concentrated path at least 80 yards in length at the 135 mph EF-2 level. The tornado continued east and finally weakened to an EF-1 with a maximum wind speed of 100 mph as it dissipated at the foothill of Gray Mountain. At least seven homes suffered minor to moderate wind damage along the 4.5 mile path of the tornado.

Tornado in CLAIBORNE, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 18:15:00 to 08-MAY-09 18:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: TAZEWELL
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-2 tornado with maximum wind speed of 110 miles an hour occurred around five miles southwest of Tazewell. The tornado initially touched down along Cole Road and quickly produced 110 mph winds. It lifted the roof off of a home on Cole Road moved east across the road and moved east across the road and destroyed two large wooden barns carrying debris up to a half mile away. Several trees were also snapped off at mid trunk level. The tornado continued in a 2.2 mile path and
dissipated near Neely Road.

Tornado in WASHINGTON, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 19:45:00 to 08-MAY-09 19:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRAY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement confirmed a tornado touchdown.

Hail in GREENE, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 19:54:00 to 08-MAY-09 19:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAILEYTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Penny size hail occurred at Jearoldstown.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCMINN, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 16:02:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLIAMSBURG
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down along highway 30 east.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCMINN, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 16:02:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: OLD ENGLEWOOD
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down along highway 30 east and across northeastern sections of the county.

Funnel Cloud in MCMINN, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 16:10:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: ETOWAH
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several first responders including policemen, firemen, and emergency medical technicians viewed funnel cloud.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONROE, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 16:15:00 to 08-MAY-09 16:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: MADISONVILLE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees were reported down in Madisonville.

Funnel Cloud in UNION, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 17:40:00 to 08-MAY-09 17:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHARPS CHAPEL
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A dispatcher saw a funnel cloud north of Sharps Chapel.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAINGER, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 18:45:00 to 08-MAY-09 18:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: BALD PT
Magnitude: 75.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees were reported down and two barns were damaged.

Tornado in GRAINGER, TENNESSEE
From 08-MAY-09 18:36:00 to 08-MAY-09 18:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: THORN HILL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported a tornado on the ground moving east toward Thorn Hill. The tornado touched down 5.2 miles northeast of Thorn Hill in Grainger county then crossed into Hancock county. Wind speed was estimated at 80 mph in Grainger county at EF0 intensity.  Damage included the downing and uprooting of numerous trees in Grainger county.