Following a full site survey Tuesday, officials with the National Weather Service in Paducah have returned in-depth analysis of the I-69 tornado observed late Sunday evening.
First and foremost, it impacted many of the same communities of the December 10, 2021, twister, and it crossed paths with that tornado near Barnsley.
Forming near Eddyville and ending near Mortons Gap, the EF-3 reached estimated peak winds of 160 miles per hour, traveled nearly 36 miles, and had a maximum width of 700 yards — nearly seven football fields.
It caused one fatality, 21 injuries, and was on the ground one hour and 14 minutes, from 8:01 PM until 9:15 PM.
Intensifying quickly ahead of a storm front, it registered as an EF-2 near the Caldwell/Lyon line.
It briefly weakened north of Princeton, before regaining strength — destroying several mobile homes, as well as wood and brick structures as it moved just south of Charleston in west Hopkins County.
Running parallel with I-69 at this point, two mobile homes were destroyed and a vehicle was flipped just north of Mortons Gap, when the path abruptly ends.
Widespread significant tree damage is associated with this event, and 46 buildings were either destroyed or sustained significant damage. Another 52 structures categorically also had damage.
Further assessments of west Kentucky’s Memorial Day storms are coming in these next days.
