A damage survey team from the National Weather Service in Paducah confirmed Sunday it was an EF2 tornado that caused damage downtown and on the east side of Hopkinsville New Year’s Day morning.
Meteorologist Derrick Synder and Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christine Wielgos traced the storm’s path along with Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham and Wilegos talked about the damage to several homes and businesses—including Mount Olive Baptist Church, Southern States and the East Ninth Street Marathon and Family Dollar.
The survey report shows the tornado had maximum winds of 115 mph, was 125 yards wide and stayed on the ground for just over a mile.
Christian County was not under a tornado watch or warning when the twister dropped from the sky just before 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Wielgos says it developed so quickly that it was likely on the ground and dissipating by the time forecasters saw any indication of rotation on the radar.
She also noted the isolated nature of the tornado.
While December and January are not prime severe weather season in western Kentucky, Wilegos noted tornadoes aren’t uncommon in the winter and the area is especially vulnerable when we’re in an abnormally warm weather pattern that had been prevalent for almost a month.
There were no injuries or deaths reported with the tornado.
Governor Andy Beshear will be in Hopkinsville Monday morning to tour the damage before going back to Dawson Springs and Mayfield to be updated on recovery efforts there.
