Over 400,000 Kentucky residents were without power Saturday morning following severe weather that moved through the region on Friday. Emergency services and firefighters have been working to respond to downed power lines, structure fires, overturned semi-trucks, and falling trees and debris.
Gov. Andy Beshear also said Saturday that four storm-related deaths have been confirmed in Kentucky.
Yesterday was a rough day for Kentucky due to the severe weather and damaging winds. We have around 475,000 without power, and our utility partners are working quickly to restore services. Sadly, we have lost four Kentuckians. Let’s continue to pray for their families. 1/2
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 4, 2023
Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky Friday due to the severe weather and raised the possibility that tornadoes had touched down in McCracken and Christian County. Structural damage but no injuries were reported.
Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam said there were reports of a possible tornado along Bell Station Road in the Pembroke area.
“Radar indicated a possible tornado and some pictures were sent in that appeared to look like a funnel cloud, but we’ve not had any confirmation from weather experts yet,” Gilliam said. “The damage seems to be widespread, and not concentrated, but it’s just an indication it’s more straight-line winds.”
In Warren County, government offices, businesses, public school districts, and Western Kentucky University were all closed due to caution in the weather.
Roof blown off a house and onto power lines in Midway, KY during strong wind gusts today.
— Justin Hicks (@Hicks_JustinM) March 3, 2023
Tree fell on a vacant home in Bowling Green, KY. pic.twitter.com/KBKfVhSPRE
Wind gusts up to 70 mph caused a structure fire on Sherwood Dr. due to a downed electrical line and injuries were reported as a result of structural damage at Bowling Green Towers Apartments. Multiple reports of structural damage due to wind gusts and flying debris were reported.
The SOKY marketplace pavilion was damaged by roofing debris from a neighboring church and heavy winds pushed down a sign at White Castle restaurant on Scottsville Road flattening the vehicle it fell on. No one was inside the car.
Road crews were called to upright an overturned semi-truck on Interstate 65. The semi was overturned by high winds but there were no injuries. In Christian County, four semi-trucks were overturned on I-24 and I-69.
WKMS reported, McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer declared a State of Emergency for the county due to damaged homes, downed power lines, and debris from the reported tornado. Much of the damage is in the small community of Fremont. Rob Estes, McCracken County Emergency Management Director, said no injuries are reported at this time, and crews are surveying the extent of the damage.
Damage assessments are underway in many communities throughout multiple states following today’s severe weather outbreak. State officials urged residents to avoid traveling if possible and avoid calling 911 for traffic and weather updates as it can hinder emergency services.
Original post:
Severe weather is expected in Bowling Green and much of central and western Kentucky through the afternoon and evening Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch and severe wind warning for 31 counties including Butler, Daviess, Edmonson, Logan, Simpson, and Warren County. A tornado watch will be in effect until 1 p.m. and severe wind warning will be in effect until 9 p.m.
Winds between 20-35 mph with possible gusts up to 50 mph are expected throughout the day and three-quarters of an inch of rainfall is possible for the area. Due to wet, saturated ground from recent rain and extreme wind gusts weather officials expected down trees and power outages in the area.
The National Weather Service warns residents to avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in lower levels of residents and buildings during the windstorm and use caution if you must drive.
Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth and said state officials are prepared in case of extreme weather.
"Emergency management, communications, transportation, energy and environment staff are activated and monitoring the storms at our Emergency Operations Center," Beshear said. "We also have the Kentucky National Guard and Kentucky State Police ready to respond."
Daviess, Hancock, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Edmonson, Logan, and Warren County Public Schools are some of the districts across the region that have canceled classes Friday out of an abundance of caution due to the severe weather. Kentucky Wesleyan College will also close its campus due to inclement weather.
What to know:
Bowling Green city officials encourage residents to have a severe weather plan in place. If severe weather occurs and safe shelter is needed these locations are available:
- Basil Griffin Park: 2055 Three Springs Rd
- Michael Buchanon Park: 9222 Nashville Rd
- Ephram White Park: 885 Mt. Olivet Rd
- Phil Moore Park: 7101 Scottsville Rd
- Ed Spear Park: 226 Sunset St. Smiths Grove
Out of caution for severe weather and power outages officials also urge residents to:
- Have your phone charged or a backup battery
- Have a safety space prepared with supplies in case of a power outage.
- Have multiple ways of being informed of severe weather warnings.
- Have a plan in place in case of a power outage.
Update 11:09 a.m.:
Western Kentucky University has canceled all classes for Friday due to
the threat of severe weather. University offices will remain open.
In an email to all university staff, a spokesperson for the university said,
"A line of severe storm in (sic) approaching Bowling Green and Glasgow and is expected to arrive around 11:15 AM. Everyone is encouraged to shelter in place until the storm threat has passed."
Update 11:44 a.m.:
The National Weather Service has updated the tornado watch across the state until 4 p.m.
Governor Andy Beshear has confirmed a tornado has touched down in McCracken and Christian County.
Update 2:21 p.m.:
The tornado watch has officially been dropped for
Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Logan, Simpson, and Warren County.
A severe wind warning is still in effect until 9 p.m. and wind gusts of 70 mph have been reported in the region. Structure damage and power outages have been reported throughout Bowling Green and neighboring counties.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
