Power Outage in Selmer, TN

NWS damage surveys concluded that a tornado touched down just south of Bethel Springs on Main Street around 9:30 PM CDT on the evening of March 31, 2023. The tornado picked up in size and intensity as it moved northeast toward Murray School Road where a double-wide manufactured home was completely destroyed. EF-2 damage continued northeast on Bethel Purdy Road where wooden power poles were snapped. A nearly 5-mile-long swath of EF-1 damage was noted up through Good Hope Church Road where more structures were significantly damaged. EF-2 damage was observed at several locations off Good Hope Church Road, including significant roof damage to a single-family residence along with bent metal electrical transmission poles. Widespread tree damage continued for 10 miles to the northeast consistent with EF-1 wind ratings as the tornado crossed into Hardin County. Peak winds in McNairy County from this tornado were estimated at 115 mph.

This tornado crossed from Hardeman County into McNairy County and moved east-northeast along Skipper Creek, intensifying as it moved into the Rose Creek area. A swath of significant damage was surveyed along Rose Creek Road from Talley Road to King Road. Tree damage was widespread and several homes were severely damaged. A single-wide manufactured home was destroyed on Rose Creek Road, killing all four occupants. Maximum wind speeds in this area were estimated at 125 mph. The tornado briefly weakened as it approaches Highway 64 west of Selmer. Widespread tree damage and sporadic damage to structures were noted along Bud Long Road, Highway 64, and John Moore Road, with several utility poles snapped along Highway 64. A church was damaged at Highway 45 and Dowty Road. The glass in the foyer was blown out and some damage to the siding was observed. Just north of the church, a metal building was destroyed and several utility poles were snapped. More significant damage was noted along Main Street just south of Hopkins Street in the Bethel Springs area. Several homes sustained significant damage. This is the same area affected by a tornado a few hours prior with a few of these properties sustaining damage from both tornadoes. The tornado continued to the east-northeast, damaging trees and utility poles on Murray School Road and numerous homes along Bethel Purdy Road. The Community Center on Purdy Beauty Hill Road was completely destroyed and a nearby home suffered severe damage. The tornado intensified as it followed Old Stage Road. Widespread damage to trees, powerlines, and homes was observed from Dogwood Lane to Leapwood Enville Road. Several homes were completely destroyed and four fatalities occurred in this area. Additional home and tree damage was observed along Puron and Neely Sharp Roads with another area of more significant damage near Highway 22 and Winding Ridge Road where another fatality occurred. The tornado weakened as it moved into Hardin County. Peak winds in McNairy County from this tornado were estimated at 155 mph.

Trees and power lines were knocked down in the 3000 block of Highway 22.

Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down across Selmer.

A tree was knocked down on power lines on Byrd Road.

Multiple trees and power lines were knocked down from Eastview to Michie.

Straight-line winds knocked down trees and power lines across McNairy County.

Straight line winds caused significant damage across McNairy County. 880 homes were damaged and 21 homes were destroyed. Trees and power lines were knocked down across the county. Adamsville was the hardest hit area of the county while Milledgeville and Miche also sustained damage. A man was killed by a falling tree in Milledgeville.

Straight line winds caused significant damage across McNairy County. 880 homes were damaged and 21 homes were destroyed. Trees and power lines were knocked down across the county. Adamsville was the hardest hit area of the county while Milledgeville and Miche also sustained damage. A man was killed by a falling tree in Milledgeville.

Numerous trees and power lines were down from near Higginbotham Road west of Highway 45 to points just southeast of town east of Highway 45 and south of Highway 64. The hardest hit area was the Selmer Country Club where it appeared a gustnado circulation was seen embedded in the microburst.

Straight line winds knocked down several trees and power lines across McNairy County.

Straight line winds knocked down several trees and power lines across McNairy County.

Strong winds ahead of a cold front knocked down power lines resulting in numerous brush fires across McNairy County.

Straight line winds of 70 to 80 mph knocked down numerous trees and power lines on Rose Creek Road and Sulphur Springs Road in Western McNairy County. Large numbers of pine trees were pushed over or uprooted in Bethel Springs. A few of the trees were snapped and many power lines were knocked down. An estimated 100 structures were damaged in McNairy County with the heaviest damage in Bethel Springs area. A couple of vehicles were crushed by fallen trees in Bethel Springs.

Straight line winds of 70 to 80 mph knocked down numerous trees and power lines on Rose Creek Road and Sulphur Springs Road in Western McNairy County. Large numbers of pine trees were pushed over or uprooted in Bethel Springs. A few of the trees were snapped and many power lines were knocked down. An estimated 100 structures were damaged in McNairy County with the heaviest damage in Bethel Springs area. A couple of vehicles were crushed by fallen trees in Bethel Springs.

Straight line winds knocked down several trees near Eastview, Stantonville and Michie. A few power lines were also knocked down and a roof was blown off a home on Post Ofiice Road in Michie.

Straight line winds knocked down trees and power lines across McNairy County. Communities most impacted were Adamsville, Selmer, Stantonville and Milledgeville. A few industrial buildings were damaged.

Straight line winds knocked numerous trees and power poles down across McNairy County. Two homes were damaged from fallen trees, 2 miles east of Highway 45 along Highway 199.

Straight line winds produced roof damage to one home in Mt. Vinson. In addition, one tree fell on another house. Several additional tree limbs and power lines were knocked down in the area.

Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down across the county.

Several trees and power lines were knocked down from straight line winds, 1 mile northeast of Selmer.

Two large barns were totally destroyed. Two houses were also damaged. Some trees and power lines were blown down. Part of a metal building was blown across Highway 64 in Selmer.

At least 20 homes were damaged in the Ramer area. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down across the county.

Many trees and power lines were knocked down across the county.

Some shingles, power lines and tree limbs were blown down.

A mobile home was destroyed in Lawton. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down between Selmer and Adamsville.