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Damaging Winds: The Windstorm of 2000
A recent storm illustrates well the threat of high winds in the Barren River
Area. The weather on November 9, 2000 was warm and breezy ahead of an
approaching cold front. Darkening skies around noon forewarned an approaching
storm. However, what immediately followed caught many by surprise. The gust
front of the rapidly moving storm hit with full force. A wind gust reaching at
least 92 miles per hour, the highest wind gust ever reported in Kentucky, was
recorded at the College Heights Weather Station at Western Kentucky University
before the station was knocked out of operation.
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Figure 3-4. Damage winds hit a local
lumber store. (Photo Credit: J.
Imel/Park City Daily News) |
The strongest winds lasted only a few minutes, but they left considerable
damage. Limbs and several large trees were felled by the strong winds, some
blocking traffic and smashing parked vehicles. The storm caused severe damage
to the roof of a local lumber store (Figure 3-4), and more than 2,000 residents of
the city were left without power. Still, the wind damage was localized, as some
parts of the city suffered little or no damage. Fortunately, no serious
injuries were reported among pedestrians and workers who were caught outside
when the winds hit.
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