The May 5, 1999 tornado
F4Perry County, Tennessee
An F4 tornado on a 6.0-mile path that killed 3 and injured 0. It was one of 16 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day.
Watch how it happenedF4 tornado · May 5, 1999
How it happened
Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.
The tornado
- Rating
- F4
- Fujita scale
- Path length
- 6.0 mi
- Width up to 580 yards
- Killed
- 3
- Along the whole path
- Injured
- 0
- Along the whole path
- Date and time
- Wednesday, May 5, 1999
- 7:20 PM CST
The National Weather Service account
Written by the local Weather Service office after its damage survey.
An F4 tornado struck the town of Linden, located about 70 miles southwest of Nashville. The tornado damaged many homes, schools and businesses and churches. There were 3 fatalities. A 14 year old girl was sucked out of her home by the tornado as she, her father, and her mother were headed to the basement. Her dad was also sucked out of the home, but was found unharmed in the yard. The 14 year old girl was found 5 hours later in the rumble of their home. Hollis Hinson, 47 year old male and Perry County Trustee, was killed in his home. His girlfriend, 47 year old school teacher Patti Haston, was also killed in Mr. Hinson's house. The home was lifted off the foundation and flung into the woods and down a nearby hill. Both had gone to the bathroom to escape the tornado's fury. Ms. Hinson was found dead in a bathtub.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.
Counties on its path
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.