Devastating severe weather interrupted the long holiday weekend Sunday as straight-line winds and tornadoes hit many communities stretching from far western to eastern Kentucky, many of which are all too familiar with weather-related disasters.
According to the governor’s office, the May 26 storm claimed the lives of five people, damaged many homes and businesses and caused power outages to more than 200,000 customers.
In addition to the statewide state of emergency, judge/executives in 24 counties issued emergency declarations: Barren, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McLean, Meade, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Pulaski, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren, Wayne and Whitley.
State officials, local emergency management offices and National Weather Service (NWS) survey teams are conducting damage assessments in affected areas.
An EF-3 tornado with estimated peak winds of 165 miles per hour tore across 35 miles in Lyon, Caldwell and Hopkins counties late Sunday evening, according to the NWS Paducah office.
All damage, no matter how small, should be documented and submitted to the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, which will be used to support the state’s application for federal disaster assistance.
