EF1 Tornado — Clinton, Kentucky

2021-02-28 · near Cumberland City, Clinton, Kentucky

Event narrative

The National Weather Service in conjunction with Clinton County Emergency Management conducted the storm damage assessment survey.

The initial tornado touchdown was on the western edge of Cumberland City, approximately 5 miles northeast of Albany. There were several snapped trees along with roof damage at several homes, before more extensive structural damage occurred at 5250 Hwy 558.

Several large barns were destroyed or had at least 70% of their walls blown out. A brand new (1 month old) 64' x 56' barn was totally destroyed. The debris from the barn was thrown over a quarter of a mile down wind to the northeast. Another 60' x 43' barn that had recently been remodeled and upgraded had three walls blown out. A Kubota UTV weighing 2500 pounds was moved 30 yards and rotated 180 degrees. There was also extensive snapping and uprooting of trees. Winds were estimated to be 110 mph.

Farther to the northeast, a large 50' x 60' barn was destroyed, and debris went at least a half of a mile down wind. A mobile home along Hwy 829 was lifted off its foundation, and there were several trees uprooted and snapped.

The tornado crossed 829 and then crossed 1009 with extensive tree damage along both sides of the road. A large barn on 1009 had two walls blown out with debris thrown over a half of a mile downwind into Wayne county.

The tornado continued into far western portions of Wayne county.

Clinton County Emergency Management Director Lucas Abner and Dr. Bill Fountain, the Extension Specialist from the University of Kentucky Extension helped with the survey.

Wider weather episode

A stalled frontal boundary brought waves of heavy rainfall to central Kentucky from February 26 through February 28. This caused record rainfall, isolated severe winds, and even a tornado. As a result, Bowling Green set a February daily rainfall record with 5.11 on the 28th. The severe winds brought down some trees and a power pole, but the most property damage came from a brief EF1 tornado.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.7925, -85.0874)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 946129. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.