An unusually powerful upper level trough moved across the eastern United States on December 23, 2015, spawning widespread severe weather from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. Several tornadic supercell thunderstorms developed across northern Mississippi and western Tennessee, which then moved rapidly east-northeastward at up to 70 mph across Middle Tennessee during the evening hours on December 23. These storms produced 4 long-track tornadoes that caused 2 deaths and 7 reported injuries. Only 7 tornadoes had been previously recorded across Middle Tennessee in the month of December from the 1800s through 2014, easily making this the largest and worst December tornado outbreak in Middle Tennessee history.
In addition to the tornadoes, several reports of wind damage, large hail, and flash flooding were received. Some of the worst flash flooding occurred in Maury County, where 3 teenagers drowned in a submerged vehicle on Carters Creek Pike.

Tornado in LAWRENCE, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 19:23:00 to 23-DEC-15 19:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HAVEN
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This strong, long-track EF3 tornado touched down just east of the Hardin County/Wayne County line about 2.5 miles southwest of the town of Lutts. At touchdown, hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted before the tornado reached its peak strength about one half mile west-southwest of Lutts along Lutts Road where the tornado reached a width of 800 yards and EF3 strength. A post office and church, both brick buildings, were destroyed along with multiple homes swept from their foundations. Four people were injured here in Lutts. As the tornado continued northeast, hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted along its path to where a concentrated area of trees were destroyed about 5 miles north of Collinwood. The tornado continued snapping and uprooting trees until the Highway 64 and Natchez Trace Parkway intersection. At this location, an outbuilding was destroyed along with the roof of a mobile home. Further northeast into Lawrence County along Napier Road, a house was swept off its foundation where 3 people were injured. As the tornado traveled northeast, several homes with roofs completely removed or damaged heavily were found along Linville Road. The tornado weakened as it crossed Lewis County into Maury County where a barn was destroyed and many trees were snapped and uprooted along Joy Road, 2 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant. The total path length of the tornado across Wayne, Lawrence, Lewis and Maury Counties was 48.51 miles.
This is the first tornado on record to occur in Wayne County, Lewis County, and Maury County in the month of December. Lawrence County previously had one tornado in the month of December, which occurred on December 7, 1951. In addition, this was the strongest tornado to occur in the NWS Nashville county warning area since April 10, 2009.

Tornado in LEWIS, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 19:42:00 to 23-DEC-15 19:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAPIER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This strong, long-track EF3 tornado touched down just east of the Hardin County/Wayne County line about 2.5 miles southwest of the town of Lutts. At touchdown, hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted before the tornado reached its peak strength about one half mile west-southwest of Lutts along Lutts Road where the tornado reached a width of 800 yards and EF3 strength. A post office and church, both brick buildings, were destroyed along with multiple homes swept from their foundations. Four people were injured here in Lutts. As the tornado continued northeast, hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted along its path to where a concentrated area of trees were destroyed about 5 miles north of Collinwood. The tornado continued snapping and uprooting trees until the Highway 64 and Natchez Trace Parkway intersection. At this location, an outbuilding was destroyed along with the roof of a mobile home. Further northeast into Lawrence County along Napier Road, a house was swept off its foundation where 3 people were injured. As the tornado traveled northeast, several homes with roofs completely removed or damaged heavily were found along Linville Road. The tornado weakened as it crossed Lewis County into Maury County where a barn was destroyed and many trees were snapped and uprooted along Joy Road, 2 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant. The total path length of the tornado across Wayne, Lawrence, Lewis and Maury Counties was 48.51 miles.
This is the first tornado on record to occur in Wayne County, Lewis County, and Maury County in the month of December. Lawrence County previously had one tornado in the month of December, which occurred on December 7, 1951. In addition, this was the strongest tornado to occur in the NWS Nashville county warning area since April 10, 2009.

Tornado in MAURY, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 19:48:00 to 23-DEC-15 19:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCKDALE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This strong, long-track EF3 tornado touched down just east of the Hardin County/Wayne County line about 2.5 miles southwest of the town of Lutts. At touchdown, hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted before the tornado reached its peak strength about one half mile west-southwest of Lutts along Lutts Road where the tornado reached a width of 800 yards and EF3 strength. A post office and church, both brick buildings, were destroyed along with multiple homes swept from their foundations. Four people were injured here in Lutts. As the tornado continued northeast, hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted along its path to where a concentrated area of trees were destroyed about 5 miles north of Collinwood. The tornado continued snapping and uprooting trees until the Highway 64 and Natchez Trace Parkway intersection. At this location, an outbuilding was destroyed along with the roof of a mobile home. Further northeast into Lawrence County along Napier Road, a house was swept off its foundation where 3 people were injured. As the tornado traveled northeast, several homes with roofs completely removed or damaged heavily were found along Linville Road. The tornado weakened as it crossed Lewis County into Maury County where a barn was destroyed and many trees were snapped and uprooted along Joy Road, 2 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant. The total path length of the tornado across Wayne, Lawrence, Lewis and Maury Counties was 48.51 miles.
This is the first tornado on record to occur in Wayne County, Lewis County, and Maury County in the month of December. Lawrence County previously had one tornado in the month of December, which occurred on December 7, 1951. In addition, this was the strongest tornado to occur in the NWS Nashville county warning area since April 10, 2009.

Flash Flood in LAWRENCE, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENRYVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

One foot of water covered Highway 242 around 2 miles south of Highway 240.

Tornado in SMITH, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 22:21:00 to 23-DEC-15 22:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: LANCASTER HILL
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This EF2 tornado touched down on Helton Creek just southwest of Dry Branch Road. At this location, the path width was narrow at 50-75 yards wide but snapped numerous trees and did some minor roof damage to a home. The tornado continued to the east-northeast snapping large trees and doing minor roof damage to a home on Corley Road. As the tornado crossed over TN Highway 264 and Smith Fork Creek it widened to 250 yards. It was here where it produced the greatest damage. The roof and two exterior walls were removed, along with its carport and 2 covered porches. Based on the exterior walls only being toe-nailed in place, it was decided that the maximum wind speed would be reduced slightly to a maximum of 125 mph. The tornado continued east-northeast destroying a cinder block garage and causing moderate roof damage to a log cabin home on Maynard Hollow Lane. At the end of the path, the tornado snapped numerous trees in Lancaster where the path width had narrowed to 100 yards. No damage was found beyond Lancaster.
This is the first tornado on record to occur in both DeKalb County and Smith County in the month of December.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILSON, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 21:06:00 to 23-DEC-15 21:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAKLAND
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on Belotes Ferry Road near Flipped Road.

Hail in RUTHERFORD, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 22:20:00 to 23-DEC-15 22:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOUBLE SPGS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Nickel size hail was reported on the east side of Murfreesboro.

Thunderstorm Wind in OVERTON, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 22:54:00 to 23-DEC-15 22:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: OZONE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down on power lines on Willow Grove Highway.

Flash Flood in MAURY, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT JOY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rainfall resulted in localized flash flooding across central portions of Maury County. One car was found submerged in Carters Creek near Carters Creek Pike and Darks Mill Road intersection north of Columbia, and three teenagers inside the vehicle drowned. Other low lying roads and areas of Columbia and Mount Pleasant were reportedly flooded.

Tornado in DEKALB, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 22:14:00 to 23-DEC-15 22:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: HELTON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This EF2 tornado touched down on Helton Creek just southwest of Dry Branch Road. At this location, the path width was narrow at 50-75 yards wide but snapped numerous trees and did some minor roof damage to a home. The tornado continued to the east-northeast snapping large trees and doing minor roof damage to a home on Corley Road. As the tornado crossed over TN Highway 264 and Smith Fork Creek it widened to 250 yards. It was here where it produced the greatest damage. The roof and two exterior walls were removed, along with its carport and 2 covered porches. Based on the exterior walls only being toe-nailed in place, it was decided that the maximum wind speed would be reduced slightly to a maximum of 125 mph. The tornado continued east-northeast destroying a cinder block garage and causing moderate roof damage to a log cabin home on Maynard Hollow Lane. At the end of the path, the tornado snapped numerous trees in Lancaster where the path width had narrowed to 100 yards. No damage was found beyond Lancaster.
This is the first tornado on record to occur in both DeKalb County and Smith County in the month of December.

Thunderstorm Wind in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 18:45:00 to 23-DEC-15 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGEWOOD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees up to 2 feet in diameter were blown down and 60 customers were without power near Highway 49 West and Highway 46 North.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 22:41:00 to 23-DEC-15 22:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HOPE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Around one dozen trees blown down across the county. Trees were blown down blocking Highway 85 near the Jackson/Overton County Line. Another tree was uprooted on Haney Circle around 7 miles south-southeast of Gainesboro.

Tornado in WAYNE, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 18:55:00 to 23-DEC-15 19:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUTTS
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This strong, long-track EF3 tornado touched down just east of the Hardin County/Wayne County line about 2.5 miles southwest of the town of Lutts. At touchdown, hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted before the tornado reached its peak strength about one half mile west-southwest of Lutts along Lutts Road where the tornado reached a width of 800 yards and EF3 strength. A post office and church, both brick buildings, were destroyed along with multiple homes swept from their foundations. Four people were injured here in Lutts. As the tornado continued northeast, hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted along its path to where a concentrated area of trees were destroyed about 5 miles north of Collinwood. The tornado continued snapping and uprooting trees until the Highway 64 and Natchez Trace Parkway intersection. At this location, an outbuilding was destroyed along with the roof of a mobile home. Further northeast into Lawrence County along Napier Road, a house was swept off its foundation where 3 people were injured. As the tornado traveled northeast, several homes with roofs completely removed or damaged heavily were found along Linville Road. The tornado weakened as it crossed Lewis County into Maury County where a barn was destroyed and many trees were snapped and uprooted along Joy Road, 2 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant. The total path length of the tornado across Wayne, Lawrence, Lewis and Maury Counties was 48.51 miles.
This is the first tornado on record to occur in Wayne County, Lewis County, and Maury County in the month of December. Lawrence County previously had one tornado in the month of December, which occurred on December 7, 1951. In addition, this was the strongest tornado to occur in the NWS Nashville county warning area since April 10, 2009.

Tornado in HICKMAN, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 18:27:00 to 23-DEC-15 18:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARMERS EXCHANGE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF2 tornado touched down in southern Perry County with estimated maximum sustained winds around 115 mph. Starting along the Buffalo River near the Sugar Hill community four miles south of Linden, the tornado traveled to the east-northeast for 15 miles. Along the path, on Hurricane Creek Road, damage to a brick home was concurrent with winds around 115 mph. Multiple other sheds and barns were destroyed in this same area along with scores of snapped and uprooted hardwood trees. The tornado continued east-northeast and crossed U.S. Highway 412 where a home was totally destroyed. Inside the home, 2 people were fatally injured.  Multiple other outbuildings were destroyed along with numerous uprooted hardwood trees. Trees were uprooted along Cane Creek Road. Based on Landsat 8 satellite imagery from NASA Sport, the tornado continued blowing down hundreds of trees for several miles across rural northeast Perry County into southwest Hickman County. The tornado then destroyed a storage shed, damaged several homes, and uprooted and snapped hundreds of trees near the Hornertown community before lifting.
This is the first tornado on record to occur in both Perry County and Hickman County in the month of December.

Tornado in WAYNE, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 19:08:00 to 23-DEC-15 19:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: RANSOM STAND
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Huntsville determined an EF2 tornado touched down initially near the intersection of County Road 14 and County Road 54 north of Waterloo, Alabama, in extreme Western Lauderdale County. Multiple trees were snapped and uprooted along the nearby creek and along CR 54. The next available damage was viewed along County Road 1 south of County Road 40. Many softwood and hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted along the hillside into the neighboring valley. The tornado damaged a single family home, removing large portions of the roofing material, and damaged the Williams Chapel Presbyterian church where nearby residents were taking shelter. The tornado crossed CR 1, leaving almost no tree untouched in a large stand of pine trees. The tornado continued over the hill to county road 40, where the most significant damage was observed. The tornado snapped numerous hardwood trees south of CR 40, caused minor damage to a single family residence, and pushed a mobile home off its foundation. Upon crossing CR 40, the tornado tore almost the entire roofing structure off a single family home, injuring one inhabitant, and tossing the debris into the trees behind it. The tornado continued over a small hill into a hollow, snapping and uprooting numerous trees along its path. The tornado was on the ground for 7.4 miles in Lauderdale County, Alabama.
NWS Nashville determined this tornado moved out of Lauderdale County, Alabama, and continued into Wayne County, Tennessee, where the tornado damage was rated EF1. One home was destroyed, and dozens of large trees were uprooted and snapped. Based on Landsat 8 satellite imagery from NASA Sport, the tornado continued blowing down trees for over 7 miles in Wayne County and crossed Highway 69 before lifting near David Patterson Road.
This is only the second tornado on record to occur in Wayne County in the month of December, with the first tornado being the EF3 tornado that struck central Wayne County earlier this same evening.

Tornado in PERRY, TENNESSEE
From 23-DEC-15 18:17:00 to 23-DEC-15 18:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUGAR HILL
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF2 tornado touched down in southern Perry County with estimated maximum sustained winds around 115 mph. Starting along the Buffalo River near the Sugar Hill community four miles south of Linden, the tornado traveled to the east-northeast for 15 miles. Along the path, on Hurricane Creek Road, damage to a brick home was concurrent with winds around 115 mph. Multiple other sheds and barns were destroyed in this same area along with scores of snapped and uprooted hardwood trees. The tornado continued east-northeast and crossed U.S. Highway 412 where a home was totally destroyed. Inside the home, 2 people were fatally injured.  Multiple other outbuildings were destroyed along with numerous uprooted hardwood trees. Trees were uprooted along Cane Creek Road. Based on Landsat 8 satellite imagery from NASA Sport, the tornado continued blowing down hundreds of trees for several miles across rural northeast Perry County into southwest Hickman County. The tornado then destroyed a storage shed, damaged several homes, and uprooted and snapped hundreds of trees near the Hornertown community before lifting.
This is the first tornado on record to occur in both Perry County and Hickman County in the month of December.