Thunderstorm Wind — Fayette, Kentucky

2017-03-01 · near Donerail, Fayette, Kentucky

Event narrative

A NWS Storm Survey team in conjunction with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment determined that 70 to 80 mph straight line winds across the Spindletop area of northern Fayette County. Very strong winds 50 feet off the ground hit over 10 agricultural barns causing significant damage to roofs and side panels. The debris pattern was spread downwind and eastward at least 1/2 mile. Several power poles were knocked over and several trees snapped and uprooted. The majority of the damage orginated on the southwest corners of the barns and pushed out to the northeast. The overall damage path extended 3 miles and had a maximum width of 1/2 mile. The duration of the thunderstorm event was approximately 3 minutes. Damage to the UK agricultural facilities was estimated to be in excess of 4 million dollars.

Wider weather episode

The combination of a moist and unseasonably warm air mass and an approaching low pressure system and cold front brought multiple rounds of severe weather to central Kentucky during the early morning hours on March 1. In the end, there were 4 tornadoes across central Kentucky. In addition to the tornadoes, there were several areas of intense straight-line winds estimated up to 100 mph in places. The impacts included numerous areas of structural damage and downed trees. The widespread rain also brought several rivers into minor flood.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.1300, -84.5200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 674427. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.