Wildfire — Powell, Kentucky

2016-11-16 · Powell, Kentucky

Event narrative

On the morning of November 16th, near-zero visibilities developed on Mountain Parkway just east of the Slade exit as smoke became extremely dense at ground level. A 12 car pileup resulted, injuring approximately 20 people and causing one fatality as a man stepped out of his coal truck to help others. Mountain Parkway was closed for over 10 hours between exits 22 and 40.

Wider weather episode

Severe drought led to a prolonged wildfire in the Red River Gorge near Tunnel Ridge Road, north of Mountain Parkway. On the morning of November 16th, near-zero visibilities developed on Mountain Parkway just east of the Slade exit as smoke became extremely dense at ground level. A 12 car pileup resulted, injuring approximately 20 people and causing one fatality as a man stepped out of his coal truck to help others. Mountain Parkway was closed for over 10 hours between exits 22 and 40.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 660354. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.