Persistent Heavy Rain Causes Major Flooding Across East Kentucky (February 27th - March 1st)

9:18-9:22 PM EST

(Clinton County)

9:22-9:23 PM EST

(Wayne County)

110 mph (Clinton County)

95 mph (Wayne County)

3.6 miles (Clinton County)

0.5 miles (Wayne County)

75 yards (Clinton County)

60 yards (Wayne County)

Summary from Louisville NWS in Clinton County:

The National Weather Service in conjunction with Clinton County Emergency Management conducted a storm damage assessment survey from the storms of Sunday evening February 28. The initial touchdown was on the western edge of Cumberland City, approximately 5 miles northeast of Albany. There were several snapped trees along with roofing damage at several homes, before more extensive structural damage occurred at 5250 Highway 558.

Several large barns were destroyed or had at least 70% of the walls blown out. A brand new 64 x 56 large brand new (1 month old) constructed barn with 6 foot footers in concrete was totally destroyed. The debris from the barn was thrown over a quarter-mile down wind to the Northeast. Another 60 by 43 barn that had recently been remodeled and upgraded had three walls blown out. A Kubota UTV weighing 2500 pounds was moved 30 yards and rotated 180 degrees. There was also extensive snapping and uprooting of trees. Winds were estimated to be 110 mph.

Further northeast, a large 50 x 60 barn was destroyed and debris went at least a half a mile down wind. A mobile home along highway 829 was lifted off its foundation, and there was several trees uprooted and snapped.

The tornado crossed 829 and then crossed 1009 with extensive trees damage along both sides of the road. A large barn on 1009 had two walls blown out with debris thrown over a half a mile downwind and was thrown into Wayne County.

The tornado continued into far western portions of Wayne county.

We would like to thank Clinton County emergency management director Lucas Abner, for his assistance with the survey along with Dr. Bill Fountain Extension Specialist from the University of Kentucky Extension

Summary from Jackson NWS in Wayne County:

The National Weather Service concluded that a tornado tracked out of Clinton county and briefly into Wayne county, before dissipating. Debris from Clinton County was carried over into Wayne County. The tornado narrowed as it crossed into Wayne county, with some straight line wind damage noted. The winds generally were from the west to southwest surrounding the tornado. The straight line winds of 65 to 75 mph damaged 2 barns.

In Alpha, KY, four barns sustained significant damage to the roofing and side walls. Several 2 by 8 boards were impaled in the ground. Cedar trees were twisted and snapped. A well constructed one story family house had shingles removed and siding on the downwind side of the house was twisted. Aerial photography from a drone showed a swirl in the vegetation. Wind speeds at the house with damage were estimated to be 95 mph.

As the tornado narrowed and crossed the highway, it hit another house sustaining pillar damage on the porch. The tornado lifted shortly after that and was estimated to only be in Wayne county for about a half a mile.

We would like to thank the NWS Louisville office for conducting this survey and all emergency management officials who helped with the survey. We would also like to thank all others who assisted in gathering information for this survey.