LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The National Weather Service in Louisville reports an EF1 tornado touched down in the west end of Jefferson County on July 4, with peak winds of 95 mph, and another EF0 tornado with winds of 80 mph in Harrison County in southern Indiana.

The initial damage survey in Louisville found the tornado touched down for about half a mile, with a maximum width of 170 yards. Damage was observed in Louisville’s west end along Woodland Avenue, between Catapla and Cypress Streets. 

In southern Indiana, the initial survey revealed the tornado touched down for about 1 mile at IN-135 between Skye Aire Road and IN-335 ending around Tee Road north of Corydon.

In a news conference on Friday, July 5, Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., joined local elected officials and emergency services to share updates on the disaster response.

"The good news is no one was killed and we know of no serious injuries,” shared Beshear. '

He said that was a remarkable fact, given that the tornado hit an urban area.

“While we are blessed there were no injuries, we take very seriously the damage that was done,” Beshear. “The folks who call this west Louisville neighborhood home are hurting.”

He said the restoration of services and power in the area was faster than he’s ever seen. 

“We are here because you are important and this neighborhood is important,” Beshear said. He noted government agencies from all levels, local, state and federal, were here to support those affected. 

Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, shared updates on the recovery efforts underway. 

“Approximately a dozen structures were affected by this tornado,” said Greenberg. “The good news is this is within the Urban Service District, so the cleanup can be handled through curbside pickup,” he added. 

He encouraged people to report downed trees and power lines to 311. He confirmed there was still one roadway that was blocked by a downed tree as of Friday afternoon. At its peak, there were 11,000 Louisville Gas & Electric customers without power. Greenberg said power has been restored to all customers, with the exception of those who have sustained damage to their power. 

Greenberg explained the tornado came without warning and that’s why no sirens went off to warn people about it. 

Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., shared the prevailing sentiment of how fortunate it was to have no deaths reported and commended first responders for showing up so quickly on the Fourth of July.

"We are so, so lucky that no lives were lost," he shared. 

McGarvey said he was especially grateful for Beshear’s help.

“Fortunately and unfortunately, he is the best disaster response governor in the country.” 

The governor encouraged people who may be mentally struggle after the disaster to call the Disaster Distress Helpline, which offers year-round disaster crisis counseling at 1-800-985-5990.

Residents have been assessing the damage and trying to clean up in the storm's aftermath. Audey Johnson was in his car just before a tree came crashing down on top of it. "All of a sudden, I just seen debris falling and I looked up, the tree was coming. I jumped out the car and ran into the house," he said. 

Tim Croft’s home next door was visibly damaged. Large tree parts are resting on his house right now. He was home when it happened. “All of a sudden, I heard ‘boom boom boom boom!' Then, it’s got a big hole in the roof, the top is all tore up, you can see through the skyline. It was a quick tornado,” he said.

NWS Louisville is continuing its damage surveys. No deaths have been reported at this time.