A tornado occurred in the Whitehaven area of south Memphis at about 7:05pm CDT.Β Β The path was two miles long, but the most damage was confined to a half mile stretch lined with fast food restaurants.
First damage occurred near the intersection of Faronia and Davidson and was limited to trees, patios and power lines.Β Β The tornado skipped over trees and commercial buildings and touched down near the corner of Chambliss and Elvis Presley Boulevard.Β Β The path direction was to the north-northwest.Β Β The damage indicated the tornado reached its maximum intensity, totally destroying Wendyβs and the Pizza Hut.Β Β Very heavy damage to the Steak House near the two destroyed buildings.Β Β Heavy damage occurred to automobiles (80) in the parking lots of the various businesses.Β Β Many windows were broken out from flying debris.Β Β Cars were turned over resting on their sides and other piled on top another.Β Β Across the street, on the west side of Elvis Presley Boulevard, most of the damage was caused by debris blown into store fronts although an appliance store had a north wall blown outward and the roof caved in.
The tornado lifted again and passed over buildings and trees with little damage only to surface again at a Skaggs Drug Store on Raines Road.Β Β Many small stores had their roofs blown off just o the north of the Skaggs Drug Store.Β Β Some roof damage and glass damage occurred at the J. B. Hunter Department Store.Β Β All the glass was blown out of J. B. Hunterβs Green House, which was located on the north side of the store.Β Β
The tornado continued for about one mile producing tree damage before lifting and dissipating near Winchester and Lakeview Roads.
Several witnesses reported seeing a funnel cloud while others didnβt – only flying debris.Β Β Some heard a sound like an explosion.Β Β The tornado was accompanied by a brief period of heavy rain.
No one interviewed saw lightning or heard thunder with this tornado.Β Β No thunderstorm was recorded at the Memphis Metropolitan Airport, which was only two miles away from the tornado path.Β Β This tornado was spawned by turbulent remnants of Tropical Storm Debra.
All in all there were two stores destroyed and 28 others damaged.Β Β The 4.6 million dollar image figure does not included the cost of cleanup operations and damages to power and telephone lines.
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