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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Louisville, KY
808 PM EDT Tue May 28 2024 /708 PM CDT Tue May 28 2024/

...NWS Damage Survey for Butler/Warren Tornado Event...

.Butler/Warren...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    110 mph
Path Length /statute/:  30.82 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   800 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             05/26/2024
Start Time:             10:57 PM EDT
Start Location:         2 SSW Huntsville / Butler County / KY
Start Lat/Lon:          37.1341 / -86.9116

End Date:               05/26/2024
End Time:               11:37 PM EDT
End Location:           2 SW Girkin / Warren County / KY
End Lat/Lon:            37.0501 / -86.3799

Survey Summary:

The National Weather Service in Louisville in coordination with
Butler County Emergency Management, Warren County Emergency
Management, and Landon Hampton from WXORNOT Bowling Green
conducted a damage survey in Butler and Warren counties for the
storms that occurred late in the evening on Sunday May 26. It was
determined that a long-track EF-1 tornado crossed the
Muhlenberg/Butler county line near at Mud River Mine Road, and
then quickly cross over 949 and Arnold Ridge Road where it was at
EF-1 strength. Numerous hardwoods were snapped, uprooted, snarled
along this road.

The tornado traveled eastward across Huntsville Quality road at
EF-0 strength, continuing to uproot and break off large limbs of
hardwoods. As the tornado traveled eastward toward the
intersection of Coal Road and Southhill Union Road some tree
damage was noted along with the roof blown out of a medium sized
outbuilding. This damage was noted as low-end EF-1. The path
continued more southeastward toward the intersection of Southhill
Union and Givens Roads where some more intense clustering of
snapped, uprooted, and snarled hardwoods was noted. Luckily, no
trees fell on homes in this area.

The southeastward path continued across Muddy Creek, before
taking a brief eastward jog along Sandy Creek road. From here,
more intensity was noted as the southeastward track resumed and
the tornado headed toward Highway 79. Particularly, more intense
damage was noted at the intersection of 79 and Richland Church
Road and points eastward where a steeple was knocked off a church,
and much more intense tree damage occurred to a grove of
hardwoods. Damage just to the south of this intersection on Dimple
Road was determined to be straight-line inflow into the parent
circulation. Damage along Richland Church Road was noted at 90-100
mph as numerous hardwoods were snapped, uprooted, and snarled.
Some cars were damaged with trees falling on them, as well as some
minor structural damage to homes and outbuildings.

The path continued toward 1083, Morgantown road, and the Natcher
Parkway where trees continued to be damaged by mostly EF-0 winds.
Just east of that location, intensity again increased along a
ridge at Highland Church Road and Sally s Rock near Rockland.
Intense tree damage occurred with winds estimated at 100 to 105
mph. The tornado continued ESE through northern Warren county,
crossing the Barren River several times and continuing to damage
numerous trees. Weaker EF-0 damage was noted along these points,
with fairly sporadic, yet still tornadic damage signatures. Roads
that were crossed included Halls Chapel, Jenkins, and Goud Lake
Roads.

After the tornado crossed 185, it entered a subdivision off
Mount Olivet Road. Here, a home suffered high end EF-1 damage as
the roofing structure was completely removed and spread downwind.
Some of the damage impacted another house downstream, severely
damaging the side wall of the home. The main home damage alone
looked to be EF-2 strength at first glance, however it was
determined that the wind was easily able to get up under the
roofing structure on the NW side of the (direction the tornado
came from) and this resulted in a total loss of the second story.
Given that there were no other instances of damage even close to
that strength around, it was decided to keep the rating at EF- 1
110 MPH. Other homes were damaged by missiles from upstream
outbuildings, as well as some tree damage. Insulation spattering
was noted on the back side of structures and vehicles, also
indicating cyclonic rotation. An eyewitness also had a photo of
what appeared to be a funnel. The tornado continued on Mount
Olivet Road ESE for another couple of miles before lifting at EF-
0 strength.

Overall, this tornado covered around 30 miles in length across
Butler/Warren. The vast majority of the damage was broad, and
somewhat sporadic EF-0 damage, however more intense areas of solid
EF-1 to high end EF-1 damage did occur. Radar presents a broad,
but persistent mesocyclone coincident with the damage path. The
survey team suspects that this was a broad circulation, that had
persistent rotating vortices around the parent circulation that
sporadically produced the more intense damage, while the main
parent circulation produced the more broad and weaker damage. The
damage path appears to be a half mild wide at times, with broader
areas of straight line winds on either side. The survey team also
noted that the most intense damage did seem to consistently fall
on the northern and southern fringes of the track, which also
supports the smaller vortices rotating through the broader parent
circulation theory. The rough terrain and road access to some of
these locations did make the survey difficult in spots.

Much thanks to the county emergency managers and Landon Hampton
for their help in getting us to the worst hit areas, and helping
us get our bearings upon arrival.

&&

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0.....65 to 85 mph
EF1.....86 to 110 mph
EF2.....111 to 135 mph
EF3.....136 to 165 mph
EF4.....166 to 200 mph
EF5.....>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in
NWS Storm Data.


$$

BJS