The National Weather Service (NWS) in Louisville has confirmed two F-1 tornadoes touched down near Beaver Dam and Meade County on Saturday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service Tornado Survey Summary, the Ohio County tornado touched down at 3:32 a half mile south, southwest of Beaver Dam.
It first touched down at a home near Goshen Church Road, tearing shingles off the home and uprooting a tree. As it continued moving at 55 mph with winds between 95 and 100 mph, it uprooted more trees and damaged outbuildings.
The NWS said it next downed a tree on Mine Fork Road. The tree fell between a house and a shed, causing a minor head injury to the shed’s occupant. The tornado then hit several residences on Hill, Mulberry and South Mulberry Streets before crossing Hwy 231, causing minor damage to a post office roof.
The greatest damage occurred along the Hwy 231 corridor, where about a dozen outbuildings were destroyed or heavily damaged, with sections of roofs lifted off homes and garages. The tornado also damaged several large warehouses, according to the NWS.
The tornado lifted at 3:34. The NWS said that tornado traveled 1.7 miles and was 50 yards wide.
At 4:32, a tornado struck about three miles north, northwest of Irvington, just inside Meade County.
With winds of 100 to 105 mph, the tornado pushed a large tobacco barn 15 feet, tore off its roof and collapsed several walls.
The tornado continued north, northeast along a wooded area before striking a mobile home on Fackler Road. The trailer rolled several times and was completely destroyed, but the trailer’s owner, who was inside the mobile home as it rolled, suffered only minor injuries.
As the tornado continued, it took the roof off a home on Guston Road. The home’s occupant was uninjured.
After being on the ground for two minutes, and traveling 1.8 miles, the 50 yard wide tornado lifted.
Straight-line winds of up to 73 mph struck between Shepherdsville and Mt. Washington beginning at 5:05 Saturday night and lasting until 5:14. The winds caused widespread damage to trees, porches and carports along Hwy 44. The NWS said a 300 pound dumpster was moved 15 yards by the winds.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
