Straight-line winds, and not a tornado, caused storm damage late Friday night in Hopkinsville, according to a report from a National Weather Service damage survey team.
The storm produced winds of 80 to 85 mph — and 90 mph in isolated spots — between 10:49 and 10:54 p.m., the report states. The survey team visited Hopkinsville on Saturday.
Numerous trees snapped or become uprooted and some downtown buildings had serious damages. The Mixer restaurant sustained the most serious hit.
Their summary states: “Scattered large tree branches down. Several shallow-rooted trees uprooted. Two 2-story buildings downtown had windows blown out which caused the outer walls to collapse. Several trees on homes causing major damage. Minor damage to homes including siding, shingles, and gutter damage. Winds were 80-85 mph in most places with isolated spots reaching 90 mph.”
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
