MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - It has been 17 years since a violent tornado changed the landscape of Murfreesboro. On April 10th, 2009, a violent weather system tore through Middle Tennessee, producing three distinct tornadoes in Rutherford County. The most powerful, an EF-4, which carved a scar through the heart of the community.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
•Storm Intensity: The primary tornado was classified as a massive EF-4 with peak winds reaching 170 miles per hour during its 23-mile path of destruction.

•Human Impact: The disaster tragically claimed the lives of a mother and her nine-week-old daughter and left more than 40 other residents injured.

•Property Damage: Over 800 buildings across the county were damaged by the storm system, with more than 100 structures completely leveled by the wind.

•Multimedia Life-Line: WGNS maintained continuous broadcasting for 12 hours during the crisis to deliver urgent safety information and remains committed to providing real-time, life-saving coverage through Rutherford Weather today.

WGNS was on the air for about 12 straight hours, before, during and after the storm...

Tracking for 23 miles, the storm destroyed neighborhoods, totaling over 100 homes. The storm also took the lives of Kelliee and Madison Morrow, a mother and infant.

WGNS served as a lifeline to the community, even reconnecting family members who were anxiously trying to find each other. Here is one caller, Jason...

In addition to the EF-4, two smaller tornadoes, an EF-0 and an EF-1, touched down near Christiana and Bradyville.

WGNS delivering real-time warnings before the impact and served as a vital communication hub in the hours that followed. 

All of these years later, WGNS continues to deliver critical weather information on Rutherford Weather. Coverage expanded in 2023 to include live video with radar and meteoroligists giving life saving information during severe weather. Be sure to follow Rutherford Weather on Facebook, YouTube, and X, as we keep you "ahead of the storm."