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Western Ky Storms

On Dec. 10-11, Western Kentucky was ravaged by two destructive long-track tornadoes. The first — an EF4 — clipped the northwest corner of Christian County remained on the ground for more than 165 miles. Two and a half hours later, an EF-2 “took straight aim for the city of Pembroke” and South Christian County, where it caused significant property damage. Then, just weeks later on New Year’s Day, an EF-2 traveled for about a mile through downtown Hopkinsville.

Explore Hoptown Chronicle’s coverage in the days, weeks and months that followed — chronicling initial reports, resident reactions and ongoing recovery efforts.

Saints Peter and Paul parishioners rode out tornado praying the rosary
Dennis Sadowski•
The Rev. Richard Meredith described the storm as “roaring like a freight train and the church booming like a drum.”
Saints Peter and Paul Church exterior
Beshear pledges support for Hopkinsville after Saturday tornado
Jennifer P. Brown•
The state will seek a federal disaster declaration following severe weather over the weekend in Hopkinsville and other Kentucky communities.
beshear hopkinsville tornado feature
National Weather Service confirms Hopkinsville tornado
Julia Hunter•
Initial findings indicate it was the strongest of several tornadoes to touchdown across the state on Saturday.
marathon gas station in hopkinsville after tornado
Apparent tornado hits downtown Hopkinsville
Jennifer P. Brown•
Several businesses and homes were damaged along a path roughly from 18th Street to Fourth Street on the east side of downtown.
hopkinsville intersection strewn with tornado debris
A little homework can pay big dividends when hiring contractors for tornado repairs
Lisa Autry•
While the work is just beginning, storm victims are being encouraged to guard against hiring unreliable contractors. 
western kentucky tornado damage
Bourbon benefit brings in nearly $5 million for tornado relief
Jennifer P. Brown•
Both of Christian County’s distilleries — Casey Jones and MB Roland — donated auction items. 
bourbon barrels
Kentucky launches website with tornado recovery resources
Rhonda Miller•
Gov. Andy Beshear has launched a website providing extensive information on resources for Kentuckians impacted by the recent tornadoes.
Boddie-Road_South-Christian_10
Kentucky state parks pivot from vacation spots to bustling shelters for tornado victims
Lisa Autry•
Many Western Kentucky tornado victims will spend the holiday at state parks that have been turned into free emergency housing for tornado victims.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park buffet bar
Pembroke tackles tornado recovery and leans on resilience
Jennifer P. Brown•
Pembroke, home to about 865 residents, has been digging out from the Dec. 11 tornado with the help of volunteers from the community and from out-of-state.
tornado-pembroke-drug-store_feaured
Following historic storms, helping hands reach out in so many ways
Constance Alexander•
After tornadoes devastated Western Kentucky on Dec. 10 and 11, the community rallied and support poured in — from contributions of money and supplies to help finding shelter for the suddenly homeless.
Pembroke cemetery Tim Moore
Fabulous Equinox returning to Hopkinsville for tornado benefit concert
Jennifer P. Brown•
The group out of Savannah, Georgia will play gospel and big band music Jan. 8 at the Alhambra Theatre.
Fabulous Equinox
NWS releases preliminary findings on Christian County tornado
Julia Hunter•
The tornado that swept through South Christian County on Dec. 11 was on the ground for more than 122 miles, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah. Preliminary surveys indicate that it was an EF2 as it crossed through our county.
tornado damage christian county