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.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky’s 17 state parks that have lodges and hotel-type rooms would welcome people who have lost their homes.
pennyrile lodge feature
Hopkinsville, spared from the devastation of the weekend storms, is now in a position to help people in surrounding communities whose homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.
Pembroke tornado workers
Here are some of the organizations offering help to Christian County residents affected by this weekend's storms — and information on how you can help.
Pembroke Fire Department
A plant manager for Logan Aluminum was among the volunteers out with chainsaws to help residents of Bowling Green over the weekend.
Beshear tornado Bowling Green
The school system will provide lunches, and the resource centers will be open to assist students and community members.
Marshall County school bus feature
Hazard climatologists Alisa Hass and Kelsey Ellis explain the conditions that generated the outbreak of powerful tornadoes Friday night into Saturday — including what may be the first “quad-state tornado” in the U.S. — and why the Southeast is vulnerable to these disasters year-round, especially at night.
Pembroke-street-clearning_storms
For many residents of Mayfield, their community has become an unrecognizable place.
Mayfield tornado
Several homes were heavily damaged or destroyed in Southern Christian County late Friday night and county rescue team members and sheriff’s deputies began searching Pembroke and surrounding areas Saturday morning for anyone who was hurt or trapped in storm wreckage.
Pembroke-City-Hall
Mayfield in Graves County may have suffered the most devastation. At least 19 counties, including Christian, sustained major damage.
Mayfield First Christian