Paducah, KY – A total of six tornadoes occurred across northwest Kentucky and southwest Indiana on the afternoon and early evening of Tuesday as the remnants of Hurricane Beryl moved through. The strongest tornado struck Mt. Vernon, IN and was rated EF-3. The next strongest, rated EF-2, was on the ground for over 8 miles from Poseyville to Johnson. The other four tornadoes were rated EF-1.
According to the National Weather Service Paducah Kentucky, the EF-3 tornado in Mt. Vernon reached peak winds of 140 mph and had a path length of 5.85 miles. The EF-2 tornado in Poseyville had peak winds of 120 mph and traveled 8.38 miles. The EF-1 tornadoes affected areas in Union and Posey counties with wind speeds ranging from 100 to 105 mph and path lengths of 3.22 to 6.34 miles.
The tornadoes caused extensive damage across the affected areas. In Mt. Vernon, the EF-3 tornado uprooted numerous large trees, destroyed several buildings, and damaged critical infrastructure. The path of destruction included flattened crops and debris strewn across the landscape, significantly impacting local agriculture. Several homes sustained severe roof damage, and some structures were completely demolished.
In Poseyville, the EF-2 tornado wreaked havoc over an 8-mile stretch. Power lines were downed, and a significant number of outbuildings were either damaged or destroyed. The tornado snapped trees and caused widespread crop damage, with large sections of cornfields flattened. Roads were blocked by debris, making access difficult for emergency responders. The tornado’s impact was felt particularly hard by the farming community, which faces a challenging recovery ahead.
