Tornado outbreak of April 9–11, 2009#Murfreesboro, Tennessee

A storm system over the southern Great Plains region resulted in severe weather development during the late afternoon and evening along a dry line that stretched from southern Kansas across northeastern Oklahoma into southwestern Missouri and northwest Arkansas.{{cite web| publisher =Storm Prediction Center| title =Severe Thunderstorms Expected over Parts of the Cntrl Plains...Srn Plains and Ozarks this Afternoon and Evening| date =2009-04-09| url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2009/pwo_200904091643.html | accessdate =2009-04-11}} As a result, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center for eastern Oklahoma, southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri and western Arkansas.{{Cite web |title =Apr 9, 2009 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook |date =2009-04-09 |url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2009/day1otlk_20090409_1630.html |accessdate =2009-04-16}} The system approached as the atmosphere destabilized as a result of daytime heating. Thunderstorms began developmenting along a dry line in Oklahoma between 2 and 3 pm CDT (1900 and 2000 UTC). More thunderstorms started forming as they approached into western Arkansas, and encountered a strong wind field around the incoming system. Winds began turning with height, which caused some thunderstorms to rotate and spawn tornadoes.{{cite web| publisher =National Weather Service in Little Rock, Arkansas| title =Severe Weather on April 9, 2009 (Pg1)| date =2009-04-10| url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/svr0409b.htm | accessdate =2009-04-11| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090412114431/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/svr0409b.htm| archivedate= 12 April 2009 | url-status= live}} Beginning at 6:20 CDT (2320 UTC), several tornadoes were produced in eastern sections of Oklahoma and Texas.{{cite web| agency=Xinhua News Agency| title =Six Tornadoes hit eastern Oklahoma, at least 4 injured| date =2009-04-10| url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/10/content_11164200.htm | accessdate =2009-04-17| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090415085835/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/10/content_11164200.htm| archivedate= 15 April 2009 | url-status= dead}}{{cite web| publisher =National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana| title =The Tornado Outbreak of April 9th, 2009| date =2009-04-16| url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/shv/events/select.php?date=04092009_1 | accessdate =2009-04-17| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090501224446/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/shv/events/select.php?date=04092009_1| archivedate= 1 May 2009 | url-status= live}} The severe weather then moved into Arkansas, where a tornado killed three people in Mena.{{cite web| publisher =WIBW-TV| title =Tornado Strikes Small Arkansas Town, Killing 3| date =2009-04-10| url=http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/42795007.html | accessdate =2009-04-17| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090413201122/http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/42795007.html| archivedate= 13 April 2009 | url-status= live}} The thunderstorms that affected Texas then went into Louisiana, creating numerous tornadoes in the state, one of which tracked through downtown Shreveport.

File:Convective Outlook April 10.gif

On April 10 (Good Friday), the storm system moved east into the Tennessee Valley and eventually into the Carolinas during the night. Ahead of the storm, warm and moist air quickly moved northeast into Alabama, Georgia, eastern sections of Tennessee and parts of the Carolinas. A separate band of strong jet stream winds went east across Mississippi and Alabama. The strengthening winds and increased moisture helped create conditions favorable for the development of supercells that could produce strong tornadoes.{{cite web| publisher =Storm Prediction Center| title =Severe Thunderstorms Expected over Parts of the Tennessee Valley and Southern Appalachians this Afternoon and Tonight| date =2009-04-10| url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2009/pwo_200904101633.html | accessdate =2009-04-17}} The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for sections of the Tennessee Valley, Gulf Coast states and into the southern Appalachians region.{{Cite web |title =Apr 10, 2009 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook |date =2009-04-10 |url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2009/day1otlk_20090410_1300.html |accessdate =2009-04-17| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090413125935/http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2009/day1otlk_20090410_1300.html| archivedate= 13 April 2009 | url-status= live}} As the system moved across the lower Ohio Valley area around the noon hour, a line of thunderstorms started to produce tornadoes in parts of Kentucky and Tennessee.{{cite web| agency=Associated Press| publisher =WSMV-TV| title =Reported Tornadoes Strike In Ky., Tenn.| date =2009-04-10| url=http://www.wsmv.com/weather/19149746/detail.html | accessdate =2009-04-18}} One of the tornadoes that struck Tennessee early that afternoon killed two people in Murfreesboro.{{cite web| publisher =WSMV-TV| title =Deadly Tornado Upgraded To EF-4| date =2009-04-16| url=http://www.wsmv.com/weather/19146520/detail.html | accessdate =2009-04-18| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090413034756/http://www.wsmv.com/weather/19146520/detail.html| archivedate= 13 April 2009 | url-status= live}} Portions of the moderate risk area in northeastern Alabama, northwestern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee were upgraded to a high risk at 1:44 pm CDT (1844 UTC).{{cite web| publisher =Storm Prediction Center| title =Apr 10, 2009 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook| date =2009-04-10| url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2009/day1otlk_20090410_2000.html | accessdate =2009-04-18| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414072150/http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2009/day1otlk_20090410_2000.html| archivedate= 14 April 2009 | url-status= live}}

The thunderstorms moved southeast across much of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama later that afternoon and into the evening.{{cite web| publisher =National Weather Service in Huntsville, Alabama| title =April 10, 2009 Tornado and Hail Outbreak| date =2009-04-17| url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/stormsurveys/2009-04-10/index.php | accessdate =2009-04-19| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090415085716/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/stormsurveys/2009-04-10/index.php| archivedate= 15 April 2009 | url-status= live}} They produced tornadoes in northeastern sections of Alabama, damaging homes in Langston and Powell.{{cite web|first=Claire K|last=Aiello|publisher=WHNT-TV|date=2009-04-10|accessdate=2009-04-19|title=Hail, Scattered Damage Reported Across Tennessee Valley|url=http://www.whnt.com/whnt-storm-damage-41009,0,858446.story|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716090119/http://www.whnt.com/whnt-storm-damage-41009%2C0%2C858446.story|archivedate=2011-07-16}} Further south, tornadoes damaged areas in central Alabama, one of which tracked through three counties and into the Montgomery metropolitan area.{{cite web|publisher=National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama |title=All Modes of Severe Weather Occurred April 10th |date=2009-04-10 |url=http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/public/publicinfo/KBMX_200904112244.txt |accessdate=2009-04-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522200544/https://www.webcitation.org/5fyDoz9GC?url=http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/public/publicinfo/KBMX_200904112244.txt |archivedate=May 22, 2024 }} One area of thunderstorms that evening produced a long-tracked tornado that moved from Grovetown, Georgia, through Augusta and ended in Ellenton, South Carolina.{{cite web| publisher =National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina| title =National Weather Service Confirms EF-3 Tornado Damage Near New Ellenton South Carolina| date =2009-04-11| url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/cae/Events/Tor_041009/CSRA_TORPNS.php | accessdate =2009-04-24}} The tornado moved across Augusta but missed the Augusta National Golf Club where the Masters Tournament was taking place during the weekend.{{cite news|first=Ed|last=Hardin|newspaper=News & Record|date=2009-04-12|accessdate=2009-04-24|title=Hardin: Tiger needs a miracle to win|url=http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/04/12/article/tiger_needs_a_miracle_to_win}} The storm system reached the Atlantic Coast during the early morning hours of April 11, producing one tornado in North Carolina.{{cite web|publisher=WITN-TV|date=2009-04-11|accessdate=2009-04-24|title=EF- 0 Tornado Saturday Morning in Beaufort County|url=http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/42855712.html}}

{{Tornado Chart

|Total = 90

|F0 = 29

|F1 = 39

|F2 = 12

|F3 = 9

|F4 = 1

|F5 = 0

|Enhanced=yes

}}

{{Infobox storm

| name = Mena, Arkansas

| image = FEMA - 40846 - Homeowner and volunteers assess the damage to his home in Arkansas.jpg

| caption = Collapsed home in Mena

|highest winds = {{convert|165|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}

|fujitascale = EF3

| total fatalities = 3 fatalities, 30 injuries

| damages = $130 million (2009 USD)

| enhanced = yes

}}

At 7:24 p.m. CDT (0024 UTC) on April 9, a tornado warning was issued for areas north of Mena in Polk County, Arkansas, and at 8:01 p.m. CDT (0101 UTC) the warning extended into the city. A tornado touched down one minute later a few miles southwest of Mena and travelled north of Highway 59/71 into the western part of town. Three people were killed, thirty people were injured, and 600 homes were either damaged or destroyed in Mena.{{cite web |last=Gambrell |first=Jon |title=Some ignore siren as tornado strikes Ark. hamlet |agency=Associated Press |date=2009-04-10 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jW-BndswWuhgPAPXOK4Q6TCQsANQD97FQ4281 |access-date=2009-04-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413165359/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jW-BndswWuhgPAPXOK4Q6TCQsANQD97FQ4281 |archive-date=April 13, 2009}} One death was caused after the roof inside a Masonic Lodge lounge collapsed on the victim. The other two victims were killed after the tornado hit their homes.{{cite web |title =Some Ignore Siren As Tornado Strikes Mena, Ark. | publisher =KHBS | date =2009-04-10 | url =http://www.4029tv.com/news/19150716/detail.html| accessdate =2009-04-10 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090412194928/http://www.4029tv.com/news/19150716/detail.html| archivedate= 12 April 2009 | url-status= live}} The Polk County Jail was severely damaged to the point that minor offense prisoners were released, with serious offenders taken to jails around the area.{{cite web | last =Agent | first =Alicia | title =Jail Damaged, Prisoners Moved | publisher =KFSM-TV | date =2009-04-10 | url =http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-rv-polk-county-jail-damaged,0,2056175.story| archive-url =https://archive.today/20110906180529/http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-rv-polk-county-jail-damaged,0,2056175.story| url-status =dead| archive-date =September 6, 2011| accessdate =2009-04-10}} The Polk County Courthouse received damage after a radio antenna fell over onto part of the building, damaging the roof. The Mena Regional Health System also sustained damage, but continued to treat patients and ran off auxiliary power. Mena City Hall, the police station, and the fire department were all damaged as well.{{cite web|title=NCDC Storm Events Database|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=154302|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Climatic Data Center|year=2009|accessdate=April 25, 2020}} The high winds from the tornado threw a bus into a tree.{{cite web|last=Agent |first=Alicia |title=Mena Tornado: Three People Killed |publisher=KFSM-TV |date=2009-04-10 |url=http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-rv-mena-daylight-damages,0,4808626.story |accessdate=2009-04-10 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413145007/http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-rv-mena-daylight-damages%2C0%2C4808626.story |archivedate=13 April 2009 |url-status=live }} The roof at the Mena Middle School was significantly damaged, with part of the gymnasium roof ripped off and a portable classroom was destroyed. The damage to the middle school was so severe that it had to be condemned.{{cite news | last =Linn | first =Mike | title =Classes relocating in tornado's wake | newspaper =Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | date =2009-04-14 | url =http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/257268/| accessdate =2009-04-15 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} The tornado also heavily impacted Rich Mountain Community College and destroyed two businesses at the city's industrial park.{{cite web|last=Gambrell |first=Jon |title=Search of tornado-hit city finds no new casualties |agency=Associated Press |date=2009-04-10 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jW-BndswWuhgPAPXOK4Q6TCQsANQD97FPH0O0 |access-date=2009-04-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414051146/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jW-BndswWuhgPAPXOK4Q6TCQsANQD97FPH0O0 |archive-date=April 14, 2009}}{{cite web|first=Rusty|last=Garrett|publisher=Southwest Times Record|date=2009-04-11|accessdate=2009-06-07|title=Community Surprises Itself After Devastation|url=http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2009/04/11/news/news02.txt}} The tornado that hit Mena was rated EF3 by the National Weather Service in Little Rock, Arkansas.{{cite web| author =KARK 4 News| title =Mena Tornado Rated an EF3 | publisher =KARK-TV| date =2009-04-10 | url =http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/news/?cid=210411| accessdate =2009-04-10 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

As the tornado moved northeast of town, it destroyed a tractor dealership and heavily impacted many homes and farms. The tornado continued through rural areas until lifting northeast of Ink at 8:17 p.m. CDT (0117 UTC). It travelled {{convert|14.84|mi|km}} across Polk County, reaching a maximum width of {{convert|1075|yd|m}}. In total in the county, 165 houses were destroyed, 701 more houses sustained major damage, and more than 11,000 trees were downed along the path.

{{clear}}

{{Infobox storm

| name = Murfreesboro, Tennessee

| image = Murfreesboro tornado damage (April 2009).jpg

| caption = Aerial image of tornado damage in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

| highest winds = {{convert|170|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}

| fujitascale = EF4

| total fatalities = 2 fatalities, 58 injuries

| enhanced = yes

}}

At 11:00 a.m. CDT (1600 UTC) on April 10, a thunderstorm near the Tennessee River began prompting severe thunderstorm warnings, as it moved nearly {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} to the northeast and eventually made it into the Nashville metropolitan area by 11:45 a.m. CDT (1645 UTC).{{cite news

| last =Howard

| first =Kate

| title =2 dead, dozens injured as homes lie in ruins after tornado

| newspaper =The Tennessean

| date =2009-04-11

| url =http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090411/NEWS01/904110358/1006/NEWS01

| accessdate =2009-04-12 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

At 12:19 p.m. CDT (1719 UTC), a tornado touched down in extreme southwestern Rutherford County, Tennessee just north of Eagleville. Nineteen minutes later, it prompted a tornado emergency for Murfreesboro after weather spotters reported the tornado on the ground {{convert|5|mi|km}} west of the city.{{cite web

|title=Severe Weather Statement

|publisher=National Weather Service in Nashville, Tennessee

|date=2009-04-10

|url=http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/public/svrstatement/KOHX_200904101738.txt

|accessdate=2009-04-12

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522200143/https://www.webcitation.org/5fxUAQl4u?url=http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/public/svrstatement/KOHX_200904101738.txt

|archivedate=May 22, 2024

}}

By 12:45 pm CDT (1745 UTC), the tornado had struck Murfreesboro with devastating results as two people were killed.{{cite web

|title=Preliminary Local Storm Report

|publisher=National Weather Service in Nashville, Tennessee

|date=2009-04-10

|url=http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/public/stormreport/KOHX_200904102204.txt

|accessdate=2009-04-12

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522200223/https://www.webcitation.org/5fxWJLYtK?url=http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/public/stormreport/KOHX_200904102204.txt

|archivedate=May 22, 2024

}}

The two victims were a mother and her 9-week-old daughter who were taking shelter inside their home when the tornado hit.{{cite web

| last =Gunn

| first =Chasity

| title =Relative: Bryants took cover inside home

| publisher =The Daily News Journal

| date =2009-04-16

| url =http://dnj.com/article/20090416/NEWS01/904160321

| accessdate =2009-04-21

| url-status =dead

| archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20110710141840/http://www.dnj.com/article/20090416/NEWS01/904160321

| archivedate =2011-07-10

}}

Fifty-eight people were injured by the tornado.{{cite web

| last =Erin

| first =Edgemon

| title =Husband and father of tornado fatalities in fair condition

| publisher =Murfreesboro Post

| date =2009-04-13

| url =http://www.murfreesboropost.com/husband-and-father-of-tornado-fatalities-in-fair-condition-cms-16519

| accessdate =2010-05-15 }}

A total of 845 homes sustained damage from the tornado, of which 117 were destroyed, 298 had major damage, 175 suffered minor damage and 255 were directly affected.{{cite web

|title = Top 10: Some tornado images will remain etched in collective mind

|publisher = Murfreesboro Post

|date = 2009-04-19

|url = http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=16635

|accessdate = 2010-05-15

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717102019/http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=16635

|archive-date = 2011-07-17

|url-status = dead

}}

During the tornado's {{convert|23.25|mi|km|adj=mid}} path, it moved to the northeast for most of its existence, then turned to the east-southeast before dissipating. Damage was extensive in the city as a two-story office building had the upper floor completely removed. Several vehicles were picked up and tossed, including numerous semi-trailer trucks. At one area, a two-story brick home was nearly destroyed with only part of a kitchen wall left standing. In another area, three homes were destroyed and thrown off their foundations, with one of the three homes not properly anchored and the other two very well constructed.{{cite web

|title=Good Friday Tornado Outbreak- 04/10/09 Damage Surveys

|publisher=National Weather Service in Nashville, Tennessee

|date=2009-04-12

|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/surveys/ss041009_good_friday.php

|accessdate=2009-04-12

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415090239/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/surveys/ss041009_good_friday.php

|archivedate=15 April 2009

|url-status=dead

}}

The tornado was rated EF4 by the National Weather Service in Nashville, Tennessee. It was the 28th tornado to hit Rutherford County since the National Weather Service began keeping records in 1950 and the first killer tornado to hit the county during that period.

In response to this event the Rutherford County Home Builders Association and its Certified Professional Builder Program have coordinated a Disaster Response Team. The volunteers were trained by Emergency Management Services to help first responders at disaster sites with the necessary heavy equipment to aide in relief work.{{Cite web |url=http://www.certifiedbuilder.org/ |title=RCHBA - Certified Builder Program - Home Page |access-date=2010-04-01 |archive-date=2011-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626135257/http://www.certifiedbuilder.org/ |url-status=dead }}

{{clear}}

During the passage of the dry line and cold front, very strong winds in central Oklahoma and northern Texas occurred behind the severe weather. Wind gusts exceeded {{convert|60|mph}}{{cite web

| agency=Associated Press

| title =Fires destroy dozens of homes, businesses in

| publisher =KOTV

| date =2009-04-10

| url =http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=10161679

| accessdate =2009-04-12

}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

while dew points were in the 20s °F (below -2 °C) behind the dry line with temperatures reaching into the 80s °F (upper 20s °C).{{cite web

|last=Lundberg

|first=Joe

|title=Wild Weather Woes Continue into Early Next Week

|publisher=Accuweather

|date=2009-04-10

|url=http://www.accuweather.com/mt-news-blogs.asp?partner=accuweather&blog=Lundberg&pgurl=/mtweb/content/Lundberg/archives/2009/04/wild_weather_wo.asp

|accessdate=2009-04-12

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411233855/http://www.accuweather.com/mt-news-blogs.asp?partner=accuweather&blog=Lundberg&pgurl=%2Fmtweb%2Fcontent%2FLundberg%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2Fwild_weather_wo.asp

|archivedate=11 April 2009

|url-status=live

}}

The combination of hot and very dry air and very strong winds sparked numerous wildfires during the late afternoon hours.{{cite web

|title = Situation Report: from Oklahoma Dept. of Emergency Management

|publisher = KXII

|date = 2009-04-10

|url = http://www.kxii.com/news/headlines/42784702.html

|accessdate = 2009-04-13

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090412220406/http://www.kxii.com/news/headlines/42784702.html

|archivedate = 2009-04-12

|url-status = dead

}} In Oklahoma, 62 people were injured by the wildfires.{{cite news

| agency=Associated Press

| title =Rain helps douse wildfires in region

| newspaper =The Norman Transcript

| date =2009-04-13

| url =http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_103012115?keyword=topstory

| archive-url =https://archive.today/20130130012230/http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_103012115?keyword=topstory

| url-status =dead

| archive-date =2013-01-30

| accessdate =2009-04-13

}}

One hundred structures were destroyed in Oklahoma County, of which 12 homes in Midwest City and 58 homes in Choctaw were destroyed.{{cite press release| title =Wildfires Impacting State | publisher =State of Oklahoma| date =2009-04-10| url =http://www.ok.gov/OEM/Emergencies_&_Disasters/2009/Fire_Event_20090409_-_Master/Fire_Event_20090409-2.html| accessdate =2009-04-13 }} In Texas, three people were killed in Montague County, as wildfires burned more than {{convert|150000|acre|km2}} and destroyed two towns in the county.{{cite web

| last =Ledbetter

| first =Kay

| title =AgriLife Extension: Burial is best for animal mortalities from fire

| publisher =Texas A&M Agricultural Communications

| date =2009-04-13

| url =http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1123

| accessdate =2009-04-13

| url-status =dead

| archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20100610052633/http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1123

| archivedate =2010-06-10

}}

Officials later confirmed that one of the wildfires in Midwest City was set deliberately.{{cite news

| agency=Associated Press

| title =In the Nation

| newspaper =The Philadelphia Inquirer

| date =2009-04-11

| url =http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20090411_In_the_Nation.html

| accessdate =2009-04-14 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090416052816/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20090411_In_the_Nation.html| archivedate= 16 April 2009 | url-status= live}} In South Carolina, one man was killed in a car accident after crashing into trees that had fallen into the roadway as severe weather created poor visibility.{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Kirby|author2=P. Sparks|newspaper=Augusta Chronicle|date=2009-04-12|accessdate=2009-04-12|title=Destruction widespread from storms|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/04/12/met_520174.shtml| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414191327/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/04/12/met_520174.shtml| archivedate= 14 April 2009 | url-status= live}}

File:FEMA - 40809 - Damaged home in Arkansas.jpg

The Governor of Arkansas Mike Beebe declared five counties in Arkansas disaster areas after the damage caused by the severe weather.{{cite web|author=KARK 4 News|publisher=KARK-TV|date=2009-04-13|accessdate=2009-04-15|title=Two More Arkansas Counties Declared Disaster Areas|url=http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/news/?cid=211101}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Fifty soldiers from the National Guard helped with removing debris and providing security while 60 prisoners also helped with debris removal.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|publisher=WXVT|date=2009-04-11|accessdate=2009-04-15|title=Mena crews prep for new round of storms as city works to recover from tornado|url=http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10168545&nav=menu1344_2}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The local Walmart was being used as a supply center as it was the only building with power. All Red Cross supplies were sent to the store and arrived on April 10.{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|publisher=KHBS|date=2009-04-10|accessdate=2009-04-15|title=Local Agencies Help With Mena Tornado Relief|url=http://www.4029tv.com/news/19151953/detail.html| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090413161653/http://www.4029tv.com/news/19151953/detail.html| archivedate= 13 April 2009 | url-status= live}} Two people from the Red Cross assisted victims of the tornado by providing tarps donated by a Lowe's store as well as flashlights and other supplies. Twelve others were sent to conduct damage assessments in Mena. A Southern Baptist Disaster Relief group cooked meals that would be served by the Salvation Army at three different locations. A mobile feeding operation provided meals for residents in De Queen, where a trailer park was destroyed by the inclement weather.{{cite web|first=Wanda|last= Freeman|publisher= Southwest Times Record|date=2009-04-11|accessdate=2009-04-15|title=Red Cross To Help In Mena Disaster|url=http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2009/04/11/news/news07.txt| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090415081311/http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2009/04/11/news/news07.txt| archivedate= 15 April 2009 | url-status= live}} On April 14, A group of 19 student-athletes and coaches from the University of Central Arkansas helped unload equipment that was moved from Mena Middle School to a middle school in Hatfield.{{cite web|publisher=University of Central Arkansas|date=2009-04-15|accessdate=2009-04-15|title=UCA Athletes Lend Hand in Mena|url=http://www.ucasports.com/sport.asp?action=news&sportid=16&article=3084|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524233349/http://www.ucasports.com/sport.asp?action=news&sportid=16&article=3084|archivedate=2011-05-24}} As many as 300 seventh and eighth-graders were sent to the middle school in Hatfield, while 165 sixth-graders went to a Baptist church to complete the school year.

The Governor of Tennessee Phil Bredesen,{{cite web|agency=Associated Press |publisher=Fox News |date=2009-04-11 |access-date=2009-04-16 |title=Governor of Tornado-Damaged Tennessee Visits Badly Hit Neighborhoods |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/governor-of-tornado-damaged-tennessee-visits-badly-hit-neighborhoods |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414134436/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C514475%2C00.html |archive-date=14 April 2009 |url-status=live }} United States Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, United States Representative Bart Gordon{{cite web|first=Scott|last=Broden|publisher=The Daily News Journal|date=2009-04-11|accessdate=2009-04-16|title=Leaders assess damage|url=http://www.dnj.com/article/20090411/NEWS01/90411006/1002|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710143113/http://www.dnj.com/article/20090411/NEWS01/90411006/1002|archivedate=2011-07-10}} and the mayors of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County each toured the tornado damage in Murfreesboro.{{cite web|publisher=Murfreesboro Post|date=2009-04-13|accessdate=2009-04-16|title=Senators Corker, Alexander to tour tornado damage|url=http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=16495|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717101335/http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=16495|archive-date=2011-07-17|url-status=dead}} Sixteen Nashville-area Lowe's stores served as donation sites for the Red Cross to assist people who have been affected by the tornado.{{cite web|publisher=WGNS|date=2009-04-15|accessdate=2009-04-16|title=Lowe's helping tornado victims|url=http://www.wgnsradio.com/lowes-helping-tornado-victims/7201/}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Michael Waltrip Racing and Best Western aided victims by donating $7,500 and hotel rooms for those who were left homeless.{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Kreager|newspaper=The Tennessean|date=2009-04-21|accessdate=2009-04-24|title=NASCAR's Waltrip donates to tornado victims|url=http://www.tennessean.com/article/D4/20090421/NEWS01/904210324}} Country singer Chris Young performed at Middle Tennessee State University for a tornado relief benefit.{{cite news|first=Heather|last=Byrd|newspaper=The Tennessean|date=2009-05-01|accessdate=2009-05-11|title=Chris Young sings to help storm victims Friday|url=http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090501/TUNEIN02/90501023/1005/ENTERTAINMENT}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} The Red Cross helped residents in Murfreesboro by serving nearly 15,000 meals and snacks, distributing nearly 4,000 cleanup and comfort kits, and provided counseling to more than 500 tornado victims and their families.{{cite web|publisher=WGNS|date=2009-04-15|accessdate=2009-04-16|title=Red Cross says THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU|url=http://www.wgnsradio.com/red-cross-says-thank-you-thank-you-thank-you/7240/}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The United Way set up the "United Way of Rutherford & Cannon Counties Long Term Recovery Fund" at a bank to accept donations for tornado victims.{{cite web|publisher=WGNS|date=2009-04-15|accessdate=2009-04-16|title=United Way Partners with Local Businesses to Help Tornado Victims|url=http://www.wgnsradio.com/united-way-partners-with-local-businesses-to-help-tornado-victims/7249/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417224055/http://www.wgnsradio.com/united-way-partners-with-local-businesses-to-help-tornado-victims/7249/|archivedate=2009-04-17|url-status=dead}} In South Carolina, Governor Mark Sanford made a visit to Aiken County to assess tornado damage.{{cite web|first=Samantha|last=Andre|publisher=WRDW-TV|date=2009-04-14|accessdate=2009-04-16|title=Gov. Sanford assesses Aiken County tornado damage|url=http://www.wrdw.com/politics/headlines/42996857.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722031841/http://www.wrdw.com/politics/headlines/42996857.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-22}} The Red Cross provided services and disaster relief to those affected in Aiken County such as tarps, food and beverages. A middle school was used as an emergency shelter, and The Salvation Army, Aiken County Emergency Management, Aiken County Sheriff's Office and Department of Social Services helped with the cleanup and removal of debris.{{cite web|first=Ben|last=Baugh|publisher=Aiken Standard|date=2009-04-13|accessdate=2009-04-16|title=Weather cleanup continues|url=http://www.aikenstandard.com/results/0413aftermath|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110707095441/http://www.aikenstandard.com/results/0413aftermath|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-07}} In response to the wildfires, the Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry declared a state of emergency for 31 counties.{{cite press release| title =Gov. Henry Declares State of Emergency in 31 Counties in Wake of Wildfires| publisher =State of Oklahoma| date =2009-04-10| url =http://www.gov.ok.gov/display_article.php?article_id=1220&article_type=1| accessdate =2009-04-13| archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20090416035749/http://www.gov.ok.gov/display_article.php?article_id=1220&article_type=1| archivedate =2009-04-16| url-status =dead}}

• Weather of 2009
• List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
• List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes
• List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2000–2009)

{{Reflist|2}}

• https://web.archive.org/web/20090426053025/http://www.realclearwx.com/menatornado.htm. Mena Tornado Pictures & Aerial Video
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090414070759/http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-video-mena-live-jared-morning%2C0%2C4752286.worldnowvideo "Video: Tornado Hits Mena"]. KSFM.
• Staff Writer (2009-04-09). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090413121430/http://www.kfsm.com/news/april-9-2009%2C0%2C1992850.story "Timeline of April 9th Tornadoes"]. KSFM.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090414055852/http://photos.newschannel5.com/displayimage.php?album=197&pos=4 Severe Weather - "Apr. 10, 2009 (Photo Gallery)"]. WTVF.
• [http://www.historynet.com/tornado-strikes-stones-river-national-battlefield-park.htm Tornado Strikes Stones River National Battlefield Park] – Photo article showing tornado damage to the battlefield park.

{{Alabama tornado events}}

{{2009 tornado outbreaks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2009-04-09 Tornado Outbreak}}

Category:Tornadoes of 2009

Category:F4, EF4 and IF4 tornadoes

Category:Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Category:Tornadoes in Oklahoma

Category:Tornadoes in Arkansas

Category:Tornadoes in Tennessee

Category:Tornadoes in Louisiana

Category:Tornadoes in Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:Tornadoes in South Carolina

Category:Tornadoes in Alabama

Tornado outbreak