Severe storms passed across the commonwealth Tuesday, April 2, bringing thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes.
The National Weather Service has confirmed EF1 tornadoes in Nelson, Anderson, Jessamine, Boyd, Bourbon, Henry, Mason and Clark counties, in addition to EF2 damage in the Beechland Beach area of Prospect near Louisville in Jefferson County, where Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, declared a state of emergency.
During a news conference Tuesday night, Greenberg said there are no reports of injuries or deaths in Louisville. Much of the damage was in the Prospect and included downed wires and trees blocking roads.
Indiana State Police reported multiple vehicles flipped over from high winds near the Lewis and Clark Bridge on the Indiana side. Greenberg added crews are continuing to assess the damage and working to re-open roads.
Areas near Louisville were previously under a tornado warning until 5:15 p.m., and much of the state was under a tornado watch for much of the day. Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., declared a state of emergency for the state Tuesday afternoon before a second line of storms swept through the state. The declaration authorized the Division of Emergency Management to coordinate the emergency response of both state and private agencies. It also authorizes critical financial assistance for the emergency response and mobilizes other resources that may be needed for relief efforts.
“We have more severe weather on the way, and the most important thing we can do right now is make sure everyone has a plan to stay safe,” Beshear said. “We are thankful to those who are working to keep others informed — as well as our first responders and utility and transportation workers who are restoring power and clearing roadways.”
The governor’s office said the following counties saw damage: Anderson, Bath, Ballard, Bourbon, Boyd, Carter, Clark, Elliott, Fayette, Greenup, Kenton, Jefferson, Jessamine, Mercer, Montgomery, Nelson, Powell, Union and Woodford. Beshear also activated the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they recover.
At its peak, nearly 30,000 Kentuckians were without power.
The storms coincided with the eve of the 50-year anniversary of the 1974 outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather that killed dozens in Kentucky.