The lawsuit alleges that the factory had up to three and a half hours to let workers leave as safety precautions and did not, and the company showed a "flagrant indifference to the rights of workers" and violated the Kentucky occupational safety and health workplace standards, by refusing evacuations. Injuries: At least 200 Its path stretched more than 220 miles, Beshear said at a 5 a.m. press conference covering the devastation. The tornado then crossed KY 54, where the last area of EF2 damage occurred, as a frail home was destroyed and left with only a few walls standing, and large trees were snapped, one of which fell on and destroyed a car. We hope for a miracle', "Was the tornado that hit Mayfield an EF5? [1] Meanwhile, according to FEMA, in Mayfield 257 residential buildings were destroyed and about a thousand more were damaged, in a town with a population of just over 10,000. UPDATE: Tornado Warning extended to 3:15 PM Posted by Butler County Sheriff's Office on Monday, February 27, 2023 As of 3:08 p.m., wind gusts were closed at 51 mph at Lunken Airport and 46 mph at CVG. A music venue housed in an old school building was badly damaged, and the Cayce Volunteer Fire Department building was totally destroyed, with the metal beams of the structure being severely twisted, while pieces of heavy machinery were tossed around. Drought Filmed in August 2022 by Chris Conley/270 Drone Aerial Imagery. According to meteorologist Bob Henson: "No U.S. tornado is known to have killed more than 80 people outside the core . During the late evening of Friday, December 10, 2021, a violent, long-tracked EF4 tornado moved across Western Kentucky, producing severe to catastrophic damage in numerous towns, including Mayfield, Princeton, Dawson Springs, and Bremen. Continuing northeast, the tornado entered Dawson Springs in far eastern Hopkins County at 10:32 p.m. More than 100 people were working at a candle manufacturing plant during the storm, Beshear said, and a roof collapse at the facility resulted in "mass casualties. 14 Dec 2021. [51] Thousands of large trees were mowed down, and vehicles were flipped. :EF3, or higherEarly estimates of the strength and size of the main Kentucky tornado. . Large barns and garages were completely demolished, and a small brick office structure was destroyed, along with homes, very large silos, and a fertilizer storage facility. The tornado crossed over Kentucky Lake into Lyon County and moved through the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, mowing down a large swath of trees and snapping power poles before crossing Lake Barkley. Map of storm reports and warning polygons, (red=Tornado Warning, yellow=Severe Tstm Warning), Convoy of Hope in Lyon County (Lyon County EMA), Rebuilding homes in Lyon County (Lyon County EMA), Delivering new appliances to tornado victims in Lyon County (Lyon County EMA). Its. The western Kentucky town of Mayfield was "ground zero" of the. The White House said Saturday it is in touch with state and local officials and will provide the federal government's "full support as needed. Injuries: 5 of Oklahoma), Radar Loop from KPAH from 8:46 PM CST to 10:02 PM CST, 9:27 PM CST: Clockwise from top left: Base Reflectivity, Base Velocity, Storm Relative Velocity, Correlation Coefficient KPAH at Mayfield, KY, Radar Loop from KHPX from 9:55 PM CST to 11:22 PM CST, 10:36 PM CST: Clockwise from top left: Base Reflectivity, Base Velocity, Storm Relative Velocity, Correlation Coefficient KHPX near Dawson Springs, KY, SPC Day 1 Outlook update issued at 10:18 AM, SPC Day 1 Tornado Probability issued at 10:18 AM, SPC Day 1 Wind Probability issued at 10:18 AM, SPC Day 1 Hail Probability issued at 10:18 AM. Local The tornado moved into Hickman County and appeared to intensify dramatically as it crossed US 51, where extreme ground scouring occurred in nearby fields. South of Earlington, the tornado derailed a train, moving several rail cars several feet up an embankment next to the railroad tracks. [45] 14 people were killed in the Dawson Springs area, and many others were injured. This area endured some of the worst damage of the fierce storm front. [25], Farther to the northeast, the tornado reached EF2 strength, tearing roofs off homes, damaging or destroying outbuildings, and damaging irrigation equipment. December 13, 2021: HQ-21-260: Release Date: . FEMA was advising residents from east-central Mississippi to extreme southwestern Virginia to stay vigilant as the storm system moved east. (NWS Storm Survey), Blueridge Road near Lake Barkley in Lyon County. The program was created after an EF-4 tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021. Numerous agricultural buildings and electrical and communication lines were also destroyed. (NWS Storm Survey). ", "We're going to get through this together and the federal government is not going to walk away," Biden said. [1] With a confirmed death toll of 57, it was the deadliest single tornado in the United States since the Joplin, Missouri tornado on May 22, 2011, ten years earlier. Other structures: Despite a COVID-19 surge in Kentucky, Beshear said hospitals were in good shape. To be exact, 72 of those counties are without obstetric services. Many homes were destroyed along this portion of the path, including several that were obliterated and completely swept away, with little debris remaining. [4] The following day, the SPC discussed higher certainty in a corridor of organized severe thunderstorm potential stretching from southeastern Arkansas northeast into southern Indiana, upgrading that region to an enhanced risk. A neighborhood near the Princeton Golf and Country Club was hit at 10:18 p.m., and several structures experienced EF-4 tornado damage. [16][17] By the pre-dawn hours of December11, a decrease in instability led to a gradual weakening of a line of thunderstorms stretching along the associated cold front from eastern Kentucky southward into central Alabama. [1][26], After moving to the northeast of Cayce, the tornado weakened but still remained strong as it moved through rural areas to the northeast of town at EF3 intensity, destroying barns and a cell tower, and tearing the roof and exterior walls from a house. [71][72] Workers said they were told by management that "if you leave, youre more than likely to be fired. 1:46 . The First Christian Church sustained collapse of its domed roof and upper walls, while the First United Methodist Church's sanctuary, which was constructed with very thick masonry exterior walls, collapsed. "We don't know where all those people are.". [5], As an intense upper-level trough progressed across the High Plains, with robust instability and moisture return realized across the Mississippi Valley, the SPC expanded the enhanced risk and introduced a moderate risk area from northeastern Arkansas into southern Illinois on the morning of December 10. was granted after FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and DHS Sec. [41] Damage continued through the Briensburg community at EF2 intensity, where homes sustained partial to total roof loss, outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and a metal truss tower collapsed. First responders at the scene of a nursing home damaged by severe weather in Monette, Arkansas, where several people were trapped inside, Dec. 11, 2021. He joined the newspaper in September 2021 after previously working with . Seven miles north of Benton in the small town of Briensburg, there were a few homes with large sections of roof structures removed, though most walls remained standing. [68], In June 2022, the Mayfield City Council put several blocks in the city's heavily impacted downtown under a building permit freeze as they strategized how to rebuild in the area, before rezoning the area in December 2022 for "less restrictive" commercial and residential mixed-use development. Many family residence homes experienced loss of significant roof covering material, collapsed chimneys and garage doors, and walls completely folded with broken windows and shattered glass. SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) When storms roll in to Scott County, a lot of people think back to the early-morning of December 6, 2021. As the tornado approached Interstate 24, mostly tree damage was observed with a few structures impacted as well. The University of Kentucky Research Center was destroyed, with metal roof trusses carried hundreds of yards from the structure and wrapped around trees. Structures destroyed: 12, Graves County, KY: Documentary titled "The Deadliest Tornado Outbreak in 10 Years: December 10th, 2021 - A Retrospective" which includes NWS and SPC interviews, Tornado outbreak of December 1011, 2021 Meteorological synopsis, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks, List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2020present), "Dec 8, 2021 0830 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook", "Dec 9, 2021 0700 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook", "Dec 10, 2021 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook", "Deadly path: How tornadoes ripped through states", "December tornadoes aren't rare, but Friday's outbreak was something totally different", "The record-breaking tornadoes that swept the United States, by the numbers", "An overview of the Mesoscale Discussions", "How Friday night's rare and deadly December tornado outbreak unfolded", "Many trapped, two dead as tornado hits nursing home in Arkansas -media", "Environment Canada issues wind warning for most of southern Ontario", "Storm Event Database 2021-12-10 20:54 CST-6", "Some ground scouring along Hwy 51 between Clinton and Fulton, KY", "At least 70 feared dead in Kentucky as tornadoes rip through swaths of U.S.", "Catastrophic tornado damage reported in Mayfield, Kentucky", "Thousands without heat, water after tornadoes kill dozens", "Kentucky tornadoes: 8 confirmed dead at candle factory, 8 still missing", "Factory workers threatened with firing if they left before tornado, employees say", "Deadly tornadoes, storms strike US; roof collapse at Amazon", "Kentucky tornado death toll: 50 people have been confirmed dead after storms by officials", "Severe tornado hits Mayfield, Kentucky, destroying buildings; Police say loss of life 'expected', "Usually, we can call these "hail spikes." Its 165.7 mile long path length was on the longest for a tornado in U.S. history. The tornado paralleled the OhioGrayson county line, and very briefly crossed a bend in the Rough River into Grayson County. Eight of the tornado warnings issued during the event by the NWS offices in Memphis, Tennessee, and Paducah, Kentucky were tornado emergency declarations, the most issued during the month of December (breaking the previous record of three issued on December 23, 2015). In this area, 15 residents of Dawson Springs perished. "For those that have seen it, what it's done here in Graves County and elsewhere, it is indescribable.". The tornado that killed dozens and hit Western KY reportedly traveled 223 miles, which would be a new record in length. The tornado produced those 57 fatalities in multiple locations along its extended damage path, killing 24 people in Graves County (which also saw more than 200 of the total injuries), 15 in Hopkins County, 11 in Muhlenberg County, 4 in Caldwell County, and 1 person each in Fulton, Marshall, and Lyon counties. Most of the damage through this section of Marshall County ranged from EF2 to EF3 in intensity, though a few homes to the southwest of Benton were leveled or swept from their foundations at high-end EF3 strength. Large metal silos were crumpled and heavily damaged at a granary, and the large Mayfield water tower was toppled and destroyed. The first observed damage was in Newbern near Washington Street. Deaths: 1 Several duplexes were destroyed at Clarkdale Court, including one that was leveled with only a pile of debris remaining. Damaged vehicles and personal property are strewn over a wide area, Dec. 11, 2021, in Bremen, Ky, after a devastating tornado swept through the area overnight. At 10:14 p.m., the tornado reached Caldwell County. The tornado began in Obion County, in northwest Tennessee, and tracked across 11 counties in western Kentucky: Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, Lyon, Caldwell, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Breckenridge, and Grayson. Injuries 11 (including 3 critically) No deaths or injuries. (Chris Conley), Destroyed neighborhood near the city park in Dawson Springs. The tornado passed just south of the city of Lafayette, Kentucky where it immediately struck a barn and knocked down several electrical transmission lines. A potent storm system moved across the central United States on December 10-11, 2021 resulting in widespread severe weather. [47] South-southwest of Dawson Springs, a group of storm chasers photographed a possible satellite tornado associated with the parent tornado. However, the National Weather Service did not confirm this.[48][49]. Mayfield, with a population of about 10,000, is in Graves County, which borders Tennessee. "We are strong, resilient people, and we will be there every step of the way.". (Brett Adair/Live Storms Media), Tornado devastation in Dawson Springs on December 13, 2021. B. Pritzker said Saturday evening. NWS Paducah plansto document the recovery of cities and towns that were devastatedduring this tornado outbreak. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. To the northeast of Dawson Springs and Interstate 69 there was damage to small barns and other farm outbuildings, along with roofs and walls separated from floor and undercarriages of manufactured homes. Observed Precipitation, RADAR Andy Beshear. Paducah, KY, FORECASTS It moved through an abandoned coal strip mine, overturning a large section of a coal conveyor belt, snapping many trees, and downing power poles. The storm originated in Arkansas, according to Kentucky Division of Emergency Management director Michael Dossett, and touched down in Missouri and Tennessee before making its way into the Bluegrass State, where it ripped through the western half of the state before finally weakening in central Kentucky. Bowling Green, the home of Western Kentucky University, also saw extensive damage the school canceled commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday in the aftermath of the storm. There were reports of two people dead after a tornado moved through northeast Arkansas, according to Gov. According to reports, the Distribution Center was struck by a tornado Friday night. Kentucky likely saw its deadliest tornado system ever, the governor said. More were expected early Saturday. In Marshall County, the tornado passed along the northwest edge of the city of Benton from 9:45 to 9:50 p.m. with estimated peak wind speeds of 140 MPH. After crossing Lake Barkley, the tornado weakened to EF3 strength but continued to cause major damage as it crossed KY 93 and I-24 near the eastern shore of the lake, where many additional homes sustained major damage or were destroyed, including several that were leveled or swept from their foundations. Satellite In a statement Saturday night, Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said: "Were deeply saddened by the news that members of our Amazon family passed away as a result of the storm in Edwardsville, IL. Two other buildings were also heavily damaged along with multiple silos destroyed. Hourly Forecasts The tornado began in Obion County, in northwest Tennessee, and tracked across 11 counties in western Kentucky: Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, Lyon, Caldwell, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Breckenridge, and Grayson. After crossing Lake Barkley on the eastern side of the recreation area, the tornado was now in Lyon County. The tornado continued to devastate residential areas, levelling or sweeping homes from their foundations. Aerial footage of damage in Dawson Springs. [70], Accusations that factory management prohibited workers from leaving the candle factory in Mayfield before the tornado struck were reported on December 13. Questions? At least four tornadoes tore through western Kentucky. Some logistics facilities and warehouses were leveled in an industrial park as the tornado exited town, and several metal self-storage unit buildings and large garages were obliterated nearby. On the evening of Friday, December 10, 2021, a potent storm system moving across the central United States resulted in widespread severe weather across the region, including a significant long track tornadoes. [18][19], The SPC issued a record-setting 43 mesoscale discussions (MCD) throughout the course of the day (12 UTC December 10 to 12 UTC December 11), all of which were associated with the broader storm system: 38 of the MCDs issued were convective discussions relating to the severe thunderstorm activity, and five were non-convective discussions relating to heavy snow associated with the system that concurrently fell throughout much of the Upper Midwest. A church and a business were damaged nearby, and further weakening occurred further to the northeast, where EF0 to EF1 damage to trees and structures was noted. AFTER (right): this image shows the damage to homes and buildings after the tornado in Mayfield, Ky. on Dec. 11, 2021. [1] Crossing through eleven counties of the Jackson Purchase and Western Coal Field regions during its lifespan, the tornado was exceptionally long-tracked, traveling 165.6 miles (266.5km) while at times becoming wrapped in rain. Mon 13 Dec 2021 05.26 EST Last modified on Mon 13 Dec 2021 07.51 EST. The tornado tracked northeast over mostly open country before causing significant damage to several homes off of Boddie Road and Darnell Road. ), 12 dic (EFE).- Pasadas 24 horas desde que un poderoso tornado asol la pequea localidad estadounidense de Mayfield, en Kentucky, el rescate contina en lo que era una . Damage to several homes in a neighborhood at the Princeton County Club. Uprooted trees on US 51 north of Sawmill Road in Hickman County. It then intensified again as it approached and crossed the Marshall County line before moving through the northwestern and northern outskirts of Benton, damaging or destroying many homes, garages, and outbuildings, downing numerous trees and power lines, and flipping RV campers. MAYFIELD, Ky., Dec 11 (Reuters) - At least 100 people were feared dead in Kentucky after a swarm of tornadoes tore a 200-mile path through the U.S. Midwest and South, demolishing homes,. Damage in this area was rated EF2 to low-end EF3.[26]. "This is a tragic day in Illinois history," the governor said during a press briefing. Tornado damaged businesses after multiple tornadoes tore through the area, Dec. 11, 2021, in Mayfield, Ky. A line of severe storms sparked tornadoes overnight in Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Arkansas. Beshear has activated the National Guard, with 181 guardsmen deployed for search and rescue and recovery operations. In this area, 15 residents of Dawson Springs perished. During the second, more intense tornado, peak gate-to-gate velocities of 128mph (206km/h; 111kn) were recorded at 9:58p.m. CST (04:58 UTC) over northeastern Marshall County, Kentucky. We also want to thank all the first responders for their ongoing efforts on scene.". There were at least 22 reported tornadoes across six states: Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. 2023 www.courier-journal.com. "It's a very dire situation at this point," Beshear said. The tornado entered a flatter area to the west of Hartford and began to intensify once more, and large steel power poles were bent over or broken along Johnson School Road, earning an EF3 rating. Once the tornado crossed Fort Campbell Blvd, additional damage to electrical transmission lines was observed including over a dozen wood poles snapped. Minor tree damage occurred before the tornado finally dissipated near Park Drive in Grayson County at 11:48p.m. CST (5:48 UTC) as it entered Rough River Dam State Resort Park near Rough River Lake, approximately four miles (6.4km) west of McDaniels. Devastated forecast at Hillman Ferry in Land Between the Lakes NRA. occurred to several homes, farm outbuildings, and structures on Palmyra Road. A deadly late-season tornado outbreak, the deadliest on record in December, produced catastrophic damage and numerous fatalities across portions of the Southern United States and Ohio Valley from the evening of December 10 to the early morning of December 11, 2021. injured. (NOAA/NASA), Tornado path across open fields northeast of Highway 116 to Highway 1127 in Fulton County. Regional radar loop across the Lower Ohio and Mississippi River valleys from 6 PM Dec. 10 to 8 AM Dec. 11. Live updates: Deadly tornadoes slam through six states One of the most devastated sites is the southwestern Kentucky city of Mayfield, where a tornado hit the Mayfield Consumer Products. [50] Almost every house in the small community was damaged or destroyed, including some that were leveled, though they were not well-constructed. "[73] On December 17, it was reported that multiple workers at the candle factory filed a lawsuit against Mayfield Consumer Products in state court, seeking compensation and punitive damages. Cheney Orr / Reuters However, no tornadoes were expected nor reported north of the border.[24]. The tornado finally weakened and dissipated near the Falls of Rough in Grayson County at 11:55 p.m. 12:01am CST #SPC_Watch WW 2 TORNADO AR KY MO TN 010555Z - 011300Z, #arwx #kywx #mowx #tnwx, https://t.co . The most severe damage in Caldwell County occurred as the tornado passed just south of Princeton. A violent, long-track tornado entered Fulton County in western Kentucky from Obion County in northwest Tennessee shortly before 9:00 p.m. CST. Structures destroyed or uninhabitable: 84. [8] Though this activity lacked much vigor at its onset due to a strong capping inversion,[9] the convective cells began to show organization as they progressed eastward. Many family residence homes experienced. Hundreds of trees were downed in this area, and a couple of structures sustained minor damage. The worst of the damage occurred near the Dawson Springs park, where several homes were completely destroyed, including a few low rise apartment buildings. A house had roof damage and windows were blown out. 01:39 - Source: CNN Tornado devastation captured by incredible drone. Kentucky tornadoes: governor says death toll expected to grow as crews sift through ruins. (NWS Storm Survey), Poultry farm on Clark Road in Fulton County. Crick served McLean and Muhlenberg counties, the court said. Around 10:55 p.m. the tornado left Hopkins County and entered Muhlenberg County, reaching the small community of Bremen at 11:00 p.m. Several homes experienced catastrophic EF-4 damage here. Thetornado initially produced EF-1 damage but while progressing northeast, it continued to strengthen to EF3 as it approached Dresden, TN. A devastating tornado outbreak has killed dozens of people across multiple states, with Kentucky possibly seeing its deadliest tornado system ever, officials said. Moving northeast, the tornado raced through Graves County, reaching the city of Mayfield at 9:26 p.m. Mayfield experienced profound damage, including the near-total destruction of Mayfields downtown historic district. 200 PHOTOS . Even counties that weren't hit by tornadoes were impacted by storms. (Photo from @MeanMotionMedia ) shows a possible second vortex to the left", "This is looking SSW just as the tornado was entering Dawson Springs. Three large churches were destroyed in downtown Mayfield, including the First Presbyterian Church, a large and well-built brick structure that was mostly leveled. Past Briensburg, EF3 damage was noted along Lowery Road, where a poorly-anchored home was leveled, and a few other homes sustained EF2 damage along this segment of the path. [26], The tornado reached a peak width of 1.5 miles (2.4km), and was on the ground for nearly three hours, tracking 165.6 miles (266.5km) from Woodland Mills to Rough River Dam State Resort Park. Structures destroyed: 300 (estimate), Hopkins County, KY A fire department building had its roof torn off, and large metal boat storage buildings were also destroyed. The CBS program 60 Minutes interviewed staff from NWS Paducah and survivors of the tornado to share the power of its devastation with the world. Tornado Watch Issued Friday; About. Structures destroyed or uninhabitable:356, Lyon County, KY: One person was receiving medical treatment, he added, with the effort shifting to a search and recovery mission. [58], In 2022, Timothy Marshall, a meteorologist, structural and forensic engineer; Zachary B. Wienhoff, with Haag Engineering Company; Christine L. Wielgos, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Paducah; and Brian E. Smith, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Omaha, published a damage survey of portions of the tornados track, particularly through Mayfield and Dawson Springs. South of Earlington, the tornado derailed a train, moving several rail cars several feet up an embankment next to the railroad tracks. As it moved through forested areas, it uprooted thousands of trees.