Meteorologists, along with local and state officials, are warning Western Kentucky residents about the risk for severe thunderstorms and the potential for intense tornadoes beginning Wednesday afternoon.
Hopkinsville has a severe weather risk level of 4, on a scale of 1 to 5, according to National Weather Service projections. The risk level is 5 for areas just west of Christian County.
The storm is expected to reach the area between 4 and 6 p.m. and continue overnight. More storms with heavy rain are possible through Sunday, and the region is under a flood watch with the potential for 12 inches or more of rainfall this week.
In addition, a wind advisory is in effect Wednesday
“We have a fairly serious severe weather day ahead,” Justin Gibbs, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service at Paducah, said in a video report.
“We expect signification flooding everywhere,” he said.
Gibbs urged residents to take the threat seriously, noting that winds will gust at 50 mph or greater.
Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and noted the risk to Western Kentucky.
“Tornadoes are expected, and I know that’s tough to hear. And we are most concerned about the area of Western Kentucky that has gotten hit far too much, as well as a wider area of Western Kentucky,” Beshear said. “Remember, these can be strong tornadoes, EF-2 and greater. We’re really concerned about people’s safety, especially in the overnight, because when storms or tornadoes hit while people are asleep, that’s sadly when we’ve lost the most people. So, everybody out there, be really careful.”
The risk is high for tornadoes, hail, damaging wind gusts and heavy rain, the Christian County Emergency Management warned.
The local agency urged residents, “Have a plan of action ready and be prepared to take immediate life-saving actions should a tornado warning be issued.”
To get NWS warnings on a cellphone, text “CHRISTIANCOUNTY” to 78015.
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.
