Severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon and into the evening in Hopkinsville and surrounding areas, and the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the region until 1 a.m. Saturday.
In addition, a tornado watch issued at 7:15 p.m. Friday will be in effect until 2 a.m. Saturday. A watch means that tornadoes are possible.
Gov. Andy Beshear issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm and stressed that the forecast includes the possibility of long-track tornadoes.
The forecast states, “Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and early tonight. The highest risk is from 3 to 10 p.m. A few long-track strong tornadoes are possible. Large hail and damaging winds are expected. Storms will be fast moving to the east-northeast at up to 70 mph. This is a particularly dangerous situation.”
The governor urged Kentuckians “to have a safety plan to locate in a secure place during the storms.”
“If you are in Western Kentucky, you need to be in a safe shelter by 5 p.m. Central Time,” Beshear said. “This is the worst forecast I’ve seen as governor. I am declaring a state of emergency so that we can be prepared. We are taking this very seriously and we need you to take this seriously, too. Please be prepared. Let’s do everything possible to keep everyone safe.”
This story was updated to include the addition of a tornado watch.
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.
