The National Weather Service is confirming a tornado touched down in Hopkinsville on New Year’s Day.
NWS says Hopkinsville tornado was an EF-2, winds up to 115 MPH and a path width up to 125 yards. According to the storm survey the tornado was on the ground for 1.1 miles. It touched down at 9:21 am and remained on the ground until 9:22 am. The twister began .3 of a mile south of Hopkinsville and continued on a path that concluded 1.1 miles east of the city. Damage was reported to Southern States, a tobacco warehouse nearby, the Marathon Convenience store at the corner of 9th and Campbell, and the family dollar. The tornado also removed the major portion of the roof of Mount Olive Baptist Church on Fourth Street and left numerous trees and limbs down, along with damage to other buildings and houses in the area.
Paducah Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christine Wielgos says they were quickly able to determine the damage in Hopkinsville was caused by a tornado.
Wielgos says the damage appears to be a less intense tornado than the ones Kentucky experienced December 10 and 11.
As to why there was no warning issued, Wielgos says the tornado popped up quickly and was only visible on one radar scan.
Wielgos and Meteorologist Derrick Snyder are conducting the storm survey, with the final determination to be released after the survey is complete.
News Edge photos by John Godsey
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