Monday marks the 25th anniversary of an F4 tornado that tore through downtown Clarksville, Tennessee.
The tornado occurred around 4:15 the morning of January 22, 1999, and caused significant damage to the historic downtown area. Although no lives were lost, five people were injured. The tornado destroyed 124 buildings and damaged 562 others, including the Montgomery County Courthouse and the oldest newspaper in Tennessee, The Leaf-Chronicle. The community rallied together to rebuild, and now the heart of Clarksville has been restored with new investments, including the F&M Bank Arena, Downtown Commons, and an expanded Clarksville Performing Arts Center.
That tragedy was most recently followed up by an EF-3 tornado on December 9, 2023, that hit the northern part of the city. This time, five people lost their lives, and a 12-mile stretch of heavily residential areas was affected. The tornado’s path included Fort Campbell’s Sabre Army Airfield.
Despite both devastating events – Clarksville and Montgomery County have come together to support one another during the recovery phases. The community’s united resolve and generosity have been evident, with volunteers, supplies, and financial assistance pouring in to help those in need. Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts emphasized the importance of unity and resilience in overcoming adversity.
