The devastating twister that killed 19 people in three Kentucky counties on Friday night packed winds of nearly 175 miles per hour and was almost one mile wide.
The National Weather service said the tornado that struck Laurel, Pulaski and Russell counties was an EF-4 with top wind speeds of 170 miles per hour. The twister leveled the Sunshine Hills neighborhood in London and inflicted significant damage in Somerset.
The tornado, according to the NWS, was approximately 1,700 yards wide and was on the ground for 55 miles.
Gov. Andy Beshear said on Tuesday that there are 19 confirmed fatalities related to the tornado: 17 in Laurel County and one death each in Pulaski and Russell counties.
The NWS said three other tornadoes touched down in the state on Friday:
- An EF-3 with a top wind speed of 155 mph touched down in Morganfield in Union Co.
- An EF-2 touched down in Allegre in Todd Co. (winds speeds between 111 and 135 mph)
- An EF-2 touched down in Casky in Christian Co.
(Photo: Tornado devastation in Laurel Co., courtesy of the Laurel Co. Sheriff’s Office)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
