Breaking: KY 117 damage from tornado and straight line winds

It was a tornado and straight line winds that did the damage on KY 117 south of Herndon early Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service, with a twister also causing some of the damage elsewhere in the county.

Christian County native and Paducah office Warning Meteorologist Rick Shanklin says an EF2 twister carrying a punch of at least 120 mph winds did damage to homes on KY 117 and a downburst with straight-line winds of 90 to 100 mph also did significant damage in that area.

Shanklin says it similar to the situation in southern Muhlenberg County where a microburst and tornado did damage in very close proximity—something he says isn’t all that uncommon.

An EF1 tornado with winds of about 100 mph started on Fentress lane and crossed Fort Campbell Boulevard and weakened near Pembroke Road, according to Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham. Graham said that tornado had also been associated with a microburst.

The significant damage caused by the straight-line winds in several local counties is evidence that all severe weather warnings should be taken seriously, according to Shanklin.

Brent Gilkey with Pennyrile Electric said power had been restored to all customers as of about 8pm last night.

                                                            **

01/31/2013/am