Eight years ago this week, an F3 tornado tore through parts of Northwest Kentucky and Southern Indiana. It claimed two-dozen lives and left hundreds injured. Rick Shanklin with the National Weather Service Paducah office said several factors led to the devastation.
“The main factor was the fact that it moved through at night. We had a major tornado that moved through a metropolitan area and unfortunately when you factor in that it impacted a mobile home park, that’s about the worst scenario that could occur,” said Shanklin.
The November 6, 2005 tornado traveled 41 miles and featured winds that reached an estimated 200 miles per hour. It touched down originally in Smith Mills in Henderson County.
Shanklin and several colleagues attended a gathering at a Red Cross facility in Evansville Wednesday.
“I mean this was the most devastating weather event in our region with the loss of life and many injuries and many lives that were changed and all,” said Shanklin. “We just wanted to recognize and commemorate that occurrence.”
Shanklin says his staff also reminded residents in the area about the importance of having a weather radio and a plan-of-action. The twister was also unusual in that happened in early November, what’s known as a “cool season” tornado.