UPDATE: NWS-Nashville confirms the tornado was an EF-1 with 90-100 mph wind and a path length of 2 miles. Click here for a report from NWS-Nashville, including damage map and photos.
Original post:
Reports are coming in of structural damage in the Nashville area after a severe thunderstorm and possible tornado hit eastern Nashville/Davidson County around 4:00pm. The Nashville NWS office reports major damage to an office complex roof and 20-30 cars on Murfreesboro Road, 2 overturned semi-trucks at I-40 and Briley Parkway near the airport, numerous large trees down in the Donelson area, and flooding in Centennial Park. In addition, the severe weather forced Nashville International Airport’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower to be evacuated, causing the airport to close for a period of time. Passengers in the terminals were directed away from windows as the storm rolled through. Here are some photos of damage from the Tennesseean and Friday’s article from the Tennessean. A Google map shows the area affected, with the airport bounded by Donelson Pike, Murfreesboro Pike, Briley Parkway, and I-40.