Photo: A tractor-trailer was blown onto its side at the KY 115 Pilot in Oak Grove
It was straight-line winds associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Olga that caused significant damage and major power outages across the region Saturday afternoon.
That’s according to Rick Shanklin of the National Weather Service in Paducah, who says estimated top wind speeds were between 70 and 75 mph—right at or just under hurricane strength.
About 14,000 Pennyrile Electric members were without power Saturday afternoon, local linemen had that down to 3,200 by Sunday morning and the assistance of West Kentucky Electric Cooperative and contracted crews brought the number to about 1,900 as of early Monday morning.
We have put together an animated .gif that shows the radar-indicated winds with yesterday's severe thunderstorm. These images are taken from the radar at Ft. Campbell, which was sampling winds just above the surface. The wind maximum is indicated by the purple & dark blue area. pic.twitter.com/Jb5cap5SsC
— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) October 27, 2019
Montgomery County was also hit hard with trees down and power outages.
Todd and Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools are closed Monday.
Oak Grove, Pembroke and Trenton saw the worst of the storm in Kentucky, with hundreds of trees downed, utility poles snapped and numerous structures damaged.
Click here for more on the power outages and here for more info on damage and photos.
Photo: Power pole snapped on US 41 between Trenton and Pembroke/Been Andrew Stahl