The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado caused roof and tree damage in Hopkins County last week.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Director Nick Bailey reported that a survey team from Paducah was in the county on Monday and determined that an EF-1 tornado was responsible for the damage.
click to download audioAccording to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the EF-1 tornado track began just west of Madisonville, where it removed part of the roof on the Hopkins County Humane Society building, without injuring any animals. The tornado then reportedly moved northeast, causing sporadic tree damage and damaging the roof and gutters of a home as it crossed Interstate 69 and paralleled Highway 281. They said the tornado may have continued into McLean County near Jewel City, but the area was inaccessible due to flooding.
Officials with the National Weather Service reported that they have identified 15 tornadoes from the April 2nd event so far, with many tracks still needing to be surveyed in the coming days.
While the high water is receding in some areas, numerous county and state roads remain submerged. Bailey noted that two water rescues took place on Monday, as floodwaters began to recede in certain areas of the county.
Bailey reiterated his warning to motorists to not drive through flooded roads and emphasized the importance of not moving barriers, as they are there for a reason.
He stated that on Tuesday, they planned to continue assessing the damage and begin collaborating with FEMA.
click to download audioHe pointed out that many houses in the county, particularly in Nortonville, have been affected by water infiltration.
