Overview
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After an intense wind storm in early March, strong to damaging winds once again struck eastern Kentucky on April 1st. Another unseasonably intense low pressure system tracked from the Upper Midwest to across the Great Lakes, pulling a cold front across the area during the wee morning hours of April 1st. Storms along the front put down torrential downpours with pockets of strong gusty winds. This led to a few instances of poor drainage/small stream flooding as well as downed trees before sunrise. However, the more significant weather arrived mid to late morning as skies cleared and southwesterly winds increased sharply ahead of the storm system's secondary cold front. During the midday to mid afternoon hours, southwesterly wind gusts peaked between 30 and 50 mph in many of the valley locations with gusts of 55 to 60 mph commonly being observed in the more open countryside and atop ridges. The strongest reported gust, 70 mph, was observed at a Kentucky Mesonet station atop Flatwoods (elevation 2,774 feet ASL) in Pike County. The strong to damaging winds resulted in many trees being blown down onto power lines and snapped power poles. Power outages exceeded more than 50,000 customers across the Commonwealth. A vast majority of those outages were reported in eastern Kentucky and were most concentrated in the eastern Kentucky Coalfield. Kentucky Power, which covers much of southeast Kentucky, took 3+ days to restore power in their service area. Repairs included replacing at least 79 power poles, 30 miles of power lines, 70 cross arms, and 44 transformers. The Big Sandy RECC also took at least two days to restore power to 3,171 of its approximately 12,500 customers. Aside from damage to power infrastructure, two individuals reportedly sustained injuries during the high wind event -- a branch struck a hiker near Natural Bridge and another tree fell on a fire truck in Letcher County. There were also numerous reports of downed trees and multiple instances of structural damage. The most notable building damage was reported in Floyd County where the Triple A Market in Martin lost its roof and an apartment building in Prestonsburg partially collapsed. |
 Power Pole Snapped on Spurlock Creek (Floyd County) (Courtesy of Big Sandy RECC) |
Photos
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| Partially Collapsed Apartment Building in Prestonsburg (Floyd County) (Courtesy of Mountain Top News) |
Roof Debris from Triple A Market in Martin (Floyd County) (Courtesy of Martin City Police Department) |
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| Colson VFD Truck after Struck By Falling Tree (Letcher County) (Courtesy of Colson VFD) |
Lineman Climbing a Power Pole near Jenny Wiley (Floyd County) (Courtesy of Big Sandy RECC)) |
Down Power Line at Greasy (Pike County) (Courtesy of Big Sandy RECC) |
Tree over Road at Happy Top (Powell County) (Courtesy of Johnny Ray Feltner) |
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| Traffic Jam on KY-80 Due to Down Power Line (Floyd County) (Courtesy of Martin City Police Department) |
Large Pine on Power Line near Elna (Johnson County) (Courtesy of Big Sandy RECC) |
Large Pine on Power Line at Jenny Wiley (Floyd County) (Courtesy of Big Sandy RECC)) |
Large Pine on Power Line near Copperas Lick (Floyd County) (Courtesy of Big Sandy RECC) |
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| Tree over Power Line and Roadway at Lakeside (Magoffin County) (Courtesy of Austin Gibson)) |
Peak Wind Gusts
...HIGHEST WIND GUST REPORTS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST, 2023 (8 AM TO 6 PM EDT)... Location Speed Time/Date Lat/Lon/Elev (ft.) ...Kentucky... ...Bath County... Owingsville 4 S 55 MPH 1255 PM 04/01 38.09N/83.76W/829 ...Bell County... Middlesboro Apt 51 MPH 0415 PM 04/01 36.62N/83.73W/1154 Yellow Creek RAWS 41 MPH 0126 PM 04/01 36.60N/83.70W/1089 ...Breathitt County... NWS Jackson 59 MPH 0148 PM 04/01 37.60N/83.32W/1382 Jackson 14 SE 54 MPH 0200 PM 04/01 37.43N/83.18W/1373 Jackson 14 ESE 32 MPH 1130 AM 04/01 37.46N/83.16W/833 ...Clay County... Peabody RAWS 39 MPH 0101 PM 04/01 37.14N/83.58W/1464 ...Estill County... Irvine 46 MPH 1145 AM 04/01 37.71N/84.07W/850 ...Harlan County... Harlan Apt 51 MPH 0349 PM 04/01 36.87N/83.37W/1551 Gatun 47 MPH 0139 PM 04/01 36.88N/83.31W/1850 Harlan 24 E 46 MPH 0535 AM 04/01 36.92N/82.91W/4031 ...Jackson County... McKee 5 S 43 MPH 0220 PM 04/01 37.36N/83.97W/1319 ...Johnson County... Paintsville 4 W 33 MPH 0305 PM 04/01 37.83N/82.88W/755 ...Knott County... Hindman 5 N 61 MPH 0210 PM 04/01 37.41N/82.99W/1556 ...Knox County... Barbourville 3 E 40 MPH 0200 PM 04/01 36.87N/83.83W/1016 ...Laurel County... London-Corbin Apt 59 MPH 0123 PM 04/01 37.08N/84.07W/1212 ...Letcher County... Payne Gap 1 NE 58 MPH 0255 PM 04/01 37.17N/82.65W/1821 Whitesburg 2 NW 39 MPH 0150 PM 04/01 37.13N/82.84W/1152 ...Martin County... Big Sandy Apt 46 MPH 1255 PM 04/01 37.75N/82.63W/1221 Big Sandy RAWS 44 MPH 0156 PM 04/01 37.75N/82.63W/1180 ...McCreary County... Whitley City 3 N 49 MPH 0105 PM 04/01 36.77N/84.48W/1312 ...Menifee County... Frenchburg 6 SSW 39 MPH 0320 PM 04/01 37.87N/83.65W/1253 ...Montgomery County... Mount Sterling Apt 47 MPH 0235 PM 04/01 38.05N/83.98W/1020 ...Morgan County... West Liberty 2 SW 53 MPH 0240 PM 04/01 37.90N/83.27W/1071 Wellington 45 MPH 1215 PM 04/01 37.97N/83.43W/1129 ...Owsley County... Booneville 2 S 44 MPH 0230 PM 04/01 37.45N/83.69W/784 ...Perry County... Hazard Apt 47 MPH 0355 PM 04/01 37.39N/83.26W/1256 Jeff 2 E 42 MPH 0449 PM 04/01 37.20N/83.10W/1289 ...Pike County... Pikeville 13 S 70 MPH 1250 PM 04/01 37.28N/82.52W/2774 Pike County Apt 48 MPH 0455 PM 04/01 37.57N/82.57W/1473 Board Tree 1 W 45 MPH 0429 PM 04/01 37.54N/82.19W/900 Kimper 3 NNW 42 MPH 0309 PM 04/01 37.54N/82.37W/853 ...Pulaski County... Somerset 7 NNE 54 MPH 0225 PM 04/01 37.18N/84.56W/1085 Somerset Apt 51 MPH 1255 PM 04/01 37.05N/84.62W/927 Somerset RAWS 50 MPH 0101 PM 04/01 37.05N/84.61W/921 ...Rockcastle County... Wabo 58 MPH 0209 PM 04/01 37.31N/84.39W/1181 ...Rowan County... Triangle Mtn RAWS 54 MPH 0102 PM 04/01 38.18N/83.41W/1359 Morehead 4 NE 47 MPH 0325 PM 04/01 38.22N/83.48W/851 Morehead Apt 46 MPH 1215 PM 04/01 38.22N/83.58W/1028 ...Wayne County... Monticello 52 MPH 0230 PM 04/01 36.96N/84.83W/921 Monticello 4 NW 51 MPH 1230 PM 04/01 36.87N/84.90W/1045 ...Whitley County... Williamsburg Apt 49 MPH 1255 PM 04/01 36.80N/84.20W/1178 Williamsburg 47 MPH 0327 PM 04/01 36.84N/84.21W/1236 ...Wolfe County... Koomer Ridge RAWS 55 MPH 1209 PM 04/01 37.78N/83.63W/1299
Storm Damage Reports
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1125 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WSW Galen 37.88N 82.84W
04/01/2023 Johnson KY Public
Report of multiple trees down near the Sitka
Church along Route 201.
1130 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Preston 38.09N 83.75W
04/01/2023 Bath KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
in the vicinity of Preston. The time of the
event is estimated.
1130 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE Sextons Creek 37.30N 83.76W
04/01/2023 Clay KY Emergency Mngr
A tree was reported to have been blown down
on Ellis Branch. The time of the event is
radar estimated.
1130 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 SSW Dice 37.31N 83.25W
04/01/2023 Perry KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
near the intersection of KY 15 and
Entertainment Drive.
1140 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW Hoskinston 37.06N 83.40W
04/01/2023 Leslie KY 911 Call Center
A tree was blown down along US 421 about 10
miles south of Hyden. The time of the event
is estimated.
1145 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Annville 37.32N 83.96W
04/01/2023 Jackson KY 911 Call Center
2 occurrences of powerlines blown down
leading to fires in the Annville community.
The time of the event is estimated from
nearby wind gusts.
1145 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSW Wooton 37.16N 83.32W
04/01/2023 Leslie KY Emergency Mngr
A tree was reported down along KY 80 East.
The time of the event is radar estimated.
1145 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Tabor 37.91N 83.66W
04/01/2023 Menifee KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down.
1145 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Farmers 38.14N 83.55W
04/01/2023 Rowan KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
along Old US 60.
1150 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Pelfrey 38.13N 83.42W
04/01/2023 Rowan KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
on KY 519.
1155 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Tyner 37.34N 83.90W
04/01/2023 Jackson KY 911 Call Center
A powerline was blown down leading to a fire
in the Tyner community. The time of the
event is estimated from nearby wind gusts.
1155 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Gray Hawk 37.39N 83.94W
04/01/2023 Jackson KY 911 Call Center
A powerline was blown down leading to a fire
in the Gray Hawk community. The time of the
event is estimated from nearby wind gusts.
1155 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 N Denniston 37.94N 83.53W
04/01/2023 Menifee KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
around noon.
1200 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Barbourville 36.87N 83.89W
04/01/2023 Knox KY 911 Call Center
Multiple reports of trees down in
Barbourville and throughout Knox County
beginning around noon.
1200 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ENE Natural Bridge St 37.78N 83.67W
04/01/2023 Powell KY Fire Dept/Rescue
*** 1 INJ ***
Per Powell County Search and Rescue, a hiker
was struck by a falling branch on the
Whittleton Branch Campground hiking trail
and fell unconscious while pinned underneath
the branch. First responders were able to
successfully get the hiker out for further
treatment.
1200 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Williamsburg 36.74N 84.16W
04/01/2023 Whitley KY 911 Call Center
Multiple reports of trees and powerlines
down in Williamsburg and throughout Whitely
County beginning around noon.
1210 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Mount Vernon 37.35N 84.34W
04/01/2023 Rockcastle KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down.
1212 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Barnetts Creek 37.83N 82.88W
04/01/2023 Johnson KY 911 Call Center
Report of multiple trees and powerlines down
near Pickle Fork at Route 40 W.
1220 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Somerset Pulaski Co 37.06N 84.64W
04/01/2023 Pulaski KY 911 Call Center
Trees and powerlines were reported down near
the Intersection of W Oak Hill Road and KY
914.
1230 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WSW Twentysix 37.94N 83.37W
04/01/2023 Morgan KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
on KY 772.
1230 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Bulan 37.27N 83.15W
04/01/2023 Perry KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
onto powerlines about 3 miles up Upper
Second Creek.
1230 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW Saul 37.26N 83.50W
04/01/2023 Perry KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
onto powerlines in the Saul community and
led to a forest fire.
1240 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 N Renfro Valley 37.40N 84.33W
04/01/2023 Rockcastle KY 911 Call Center
A tree was blown down at the KOA campground.
1245 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Alphoretta 37.56N 82.76W
04/01/2023 Floyd KY Public
Roofing material was blown off of a business
in the city of Martin.
1245 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Lick Branch 37.96N 83.25W
04/01/2023 Morgan KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
along KY 1161.
1250 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WNW Jeffersonville 37.98N 83.85W
04/01/2023 Montgomery KY Public
Two trees were reported to have been blown
down at a residence. Time of the event is
estimated.
1252 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Stidham 37.88N 82.58W
04/01/2023 Martin KY 911 Call Center
Multiple trees reported down along Tomahawk
Rd NW or Inez.
1255 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 N Blue Heron 36.72N 84.55W
04/01/2023 McCreary KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
on KY 1363 near Yamacraw. The even time is
estimated from nearby wind gust
observations.
0100 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Preston 38.09N 83.75W
04/01/2023 Bath KY 911 Call Center
Trees were again reported to have been blown
down in the Preston vicinity. The event time
is estimated.
0100 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Marshes Siding 36.74N 84.48W
04/01/2023 McCreary KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
at Marshes Siding.
0110 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SW Hollyhill 36.63N 84.37W
04/01/2023 McCreary KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
in the Hay Creek Community.
0110 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ESE Strunk 36.62N 84.40W
04/01/2023 McCreary KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
on KY 1470 near Strunk.
0110 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WNW Steubenville 36.89N 84.82W
04/01/2023 Wayne KY 911 Call Center
A utility line was reported to have been
blown down.
0115 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSE Hardy 37.60N 82.23W
04/01/2023 Pike KY Emergency Mngr
A tree was reported to have been blown down
on an occupied vehicle.
0115 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSE Morehead 38.18N 83.44W
04/01/2023 Rowan KY 911 Call Center
Multiple trees were reported to have been
blown down in Morehead along with powerlines
down between 1 and 130 PM.
0120 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Kellioka 36.90N 83.25W
04/01/2023 Harlan KY Public
Roofing material was blown off of a carport
at a residence.
0130 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Pleasureville 38.48N 83.60W
04/01/2023 Fleming KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
on Foxport Road. The event time is
estimated.
0130 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S High Falls 37.71N 83.58W
04/01/2023 Wolfe KY 911 Call Center
A powerline was blown down and caught some
grass on fire along Sandy Ridge Road.
0140 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WSW Isonville 38.06N 83.08W
04/01/2023 Elliott KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
along KY 1621. A powerline was also blown
down in the vicinity that led to a fire. The
event time is estimated and occurred before
2 PM.
0145 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ENE Culver 38.09N 82.98W
04/01/2023 Elliott KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
near the intersection of Wallow Hole Road KY
486. The event time is estimated.
0145 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Stark 38.18N 83.09W
04/01/2023 Elliott KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
along KY 504. The time of the event is
estimated.
0145 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Bethany 37.65N 83.47W
04/01/2023 Wolfe KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down.
0150 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ENE Spout Springs 37.84N 83.95W
04/01/2023 Powell KY Public
A large pine tree was blown down onto and
blocking Happy Top Road.
0200 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW Indian Lakes Park 37.39N 84.47W
04/01/2023 Rockcastle KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down.
0300 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Ferndale 36.70N 83.69W
04/01/2023 Bell KY 911 Call Center
Dispatcher noted that trees and powerlines
were blown down near Ferndale off of 25E
around 3 PM.
0300 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ESE Fairview 38.44N 83.91W
04/01/2023 Fleming KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported down on Ewing Road
around 12 highway miles from Flemingsburg.
The event time is estimated.
0300 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Deane 37.24N 82.78W
04/01/2023 Letcher KY Fire Dept/Rescue
*** 1 INJ ***
Per Colson Volunteer Fire Department, a
volunteer firefighter operating the CFD
Engine-1 was injured when a tree fell off
the side of a hill and struck the vehicle.
The firefighter sustained a concussion and
abrasion to the head and was transported to
the ER for treatment.
0325 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Ravenna 37.69N 83.96W
04/01/2023 Estill KY Utility Company
KY 1645 closed due to downed power lines.
Time is approximate.
0330 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW Prestonsburg 37.67N 82.77W
04/01/2023 Floyd KY Broadcast Media
Social media pictures of apartment building
missing the roof and a wall. Time is
approximate.
0335 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WNW Billows 37.18N 84.33W
04/01/2023 Pulaski KY 911 Call Center
Trees were reported to have been blown onto
the roadway near this location prior to 347
PM. Additional trees and powerlines were
reported down in the vicinity during the
afternoon.
0400 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Evarts 36.87N 83.19W
04/01/2023 Harlan KY 911 Call Center
Multiple utility lines down along HWY 38
near Evarts.
0405 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 WSW Fincastle 37.63N 83.69W
04/01/2023 Lee KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
onto a powerline leading to a fire.
0412 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Coalpoint 37.79N 82.44W
04/01/2023 Martin KY 911 Call Center
Multiple trees down along N Wolf Creek.
0420 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNE Lakesville 37.73N 83.06W
04/01/2023 Magoffin KY Public
Large pine tree blown down on KY1090. It
took out the powerlines and part of a power
pole. Time is approximate.
0430 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WNW Pomeroyton 37.88N 83.53W
04/01/2023 Menifee KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down.
The event time is estimated.
0438 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Whitepost 37.74N 82.33W
04/01/2023 Pike KY Public
Roof blown into the road on KY 292. Time is
approximate.
0440 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Owingsville 38.15N 83.76W
04/01/2023 Bath KY 911 Call Center
Trees were reported to have been blown down
in the vicinity of Owingsville. The time of
the event is estimated.
0440 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Gordon Ford 37.89N 83.23W
04/01/2023 Morgan KY 911 Call Center
A tree was blown down onto Steele Branch
Road.
0445 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Salt Lick 38.12N 83.62W
04/01/2023 Bath KY 911 Call Center
A tree was reported to have been blown down
in the Salt Lick vicinity. The event time
is estimated.
Environment
Anomalously deep low pressure tracked from the Upper Midwest to Northeast on April 1st (Figure 1). Much drier air moved in behind a cold front during the morning hours (evident by the dew point gradient to our east in Figure 2). This caused skies to clear allowing for strong heating of the surface during the daylight hours. At the same time, low level cold air advection began cooling temperatures aloft (Figure 3). These combined phenomena caused lapse rates to become very steep at the low levels (Figure 4). At the same time, winds within several thousand feet above ground level (around 50 knots at 850 mb in Figure 3) remained very strong due to the departing low pressure's intensity. These winds were able to mix down to surface as the steepening low-level lapse rates caused the near surface air mass to become unstable. Wind speeds aloft diminished notably as the secondary cold front passed during the afternoon hours and that allowed for the strong wind gusts to subside toward from west to east later in the afternoon and evening.
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| Figure 1: Surface Analysis 11 PM March 31st through 8 PM April 1st |
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| Figure 2: Surface Temperature, Dewpoint, and Mean Sea Level Pressure at 2 PM April 1st | Figure 3: 850 mb Winds and Temperature Advection at 2 PM April 1st | Figure 4: Surface to 3 km Lapse Rates |
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