F2 Tornado — Jessamine, Kentucky

1995-05-18 · near Wilmore, Jessamine, Kentucky

Wider weather episode

The tornado began as an F1 with wind speeds of 100mph about 0.5 miles northwest of McAfee with several homes having roof and chimney damage along with several barns sustaining heavy damage. The tornado blew several cars off of US 127 resulting in significant damage and several injuries. At the intersection of Hwy 1268 and 68, 7 horses were killed along with extensive barn damage. The tornado increased to a high end F2 with wind speeds of 145 mph when it struck the West Jessamine County High School. There was extensive structural damage done to all portions of the building, along with the total destruction of the tobacco barn and greenhouse for the agricultural program. 11 busses sustained significant damage with school children on the busses. At least 30 injuries occurred at the high school, one serious. The tornado hit a strip plaza and the Walmart on the north side of Nicholasville. There was significant roof and sign damage along the business district. The tornado weakened to an F1 of 100 mph in southwest Fayette County. The tornado moved at 55 mph over a 24 mile track.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.8722, -84.7063)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 990000012. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.