Severe weather causes significant damage in area

Very strong winds associated with a thunderstorm caused significant damage in the region Saturday afternoon.

The worst of the damage was in the Pembroke, Oak Grove and Trenton areas. A tractor-trailer was blown over in the KY 115 Pilot truck stop parking lot in Oak Grove, a trailer pulled by a truck was toppled by the wind on the exit ramp onto KY 115 and Christian County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Vanderkolk says a westbound pickup on I-24 just west of exit 89 had its trailer blown over.

The tower at the new Oak Grove Racing and Gaming racetrack was severely damaged by wind, power poles were snapped and lines were blown onto the Pit Stop building on Pembroke Road and the roof was damaged at Pro Solutions next door.

The Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department said it was opening its doors at 8 a.m. for anyone needing a place to recharge their phones or to warm up with a cup of coffee.

A pavilion was destroyed at the Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site in Fairview, a tree was blown onto a home on Hayes Road in Christian County, a tree was downed onto a home on Bell Chapel Road near KY 115 north of Pembroke and a tree was toppled onto a home in the 11000 block of Butler Road.

https://www.facebook.com/whopradio/posts/2789274441106531

Todd County Emergency Management Director Daniel Smith reported damage to several structures in the Trenton area, including some homes and it was difficult to travel in that area into the evening. The Latham’s Fabric Building on the Elkton Public Square sustained roof damage and there was additional damage to trees, barns and other structures reported in the Allegre, Allensville, Clifty, Guthrie and Sharon Grove areas.

Trigg County Emergency Management Director David Bryant reported only one home damaged—a tree fell on a house on Hilltop Street in Cadiz.

Significant damage was reported in Clarksville, with officials at the Clarksville Speedway estimating up to $500,000 in damages there—according to WKRN TV—and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reported the closure of portions of major roadways including Madison Street near Pageant Lane and Needmore Road near Lark Drive.

Crews with local volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, county road departments, city street departments and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have been out since the storm removing trees from roads.

There was at least some damage in almost all areas of Christian and Todd Counties, but no injuries were reported.

The National Weather Service in Paducah issued a severe thunderstorm warning just as the storm was reaching the Oak Grove area.