Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Louisville, KY
Issued by NWS Louisville, KY
938 NOUS43 KLMK 311428 PNSLMK INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067- 070>078-081-082-010230- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Louisville, KY 1028 AM EDT Sat May 31 2025 /928 AM CDT Sat May 31 2025/ ...NWS Damage Survey for 05/30/25 Tornado Event in Washington County Kentucky... .Washington... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 125 mph Path Length /statute/: 5.55 miles Path Width /maximum/: 450 yards Fatalities: 1 Injuries: 14 Start Date: 05/30/2025 Start Time: 06:49 AM EDT Start Location: 1 NNE Pottsville / Washington County / KY Start Lat/Lon: 37.667 / -85.0586 End Date: 05/30/2025 End Time: 06:59 AM EDT End Location: 1 NNW Perryville / Boyle County / KY End Lat/Lon: 37.6677 / -84.958 Survey Summary: An NWS Louisville damage survey team concluded that a strong tornado touched down in SE Washington county on Friday morning, May 30th. The tornado touched down on a ridgetop near the intersection of Coyle Lane and Long Run Road, initially snapping and twisting some hardwood trees, and throwing a chicken cage almost a quarter mile to the NE of the path. From there, the tornado quickly intensified into solid EF-2 strength as a vortice within the parent circulation produced a third of a mile long swath of intense damage starting only about 100-200 yards from the touchdown point. Here, a well built barn with living quarters was completely swept off the concrete foundation and thrown into the valley below. Sill plates were anchored to the concrete foundation, so construction was good, however 3 large overhead doors likely contributed to the demise of the structure as they faced the direction of the tornado path directly. Eyewitness accounts from inside the structure said the overhead doors caved inward first, and then the whole building went. Several occupants were thrown into the valley below among the debris, but miraculously survived. From there, the intense EF-2 vortice traveled ENE across Long Run Road and completely destroyed another structure/home just to the east of the road. Here, debris from the complete destruction of the home was thrown about 75 yards directly to the north of the path into a ravine. Sadly, one occupant of the home was killed, with at least two others injured. The foundation of this structure was on cinder blocks, with quite a bit of open space beneath the floor. Peak winds reached 125 mph for both of these structures, with broader EF- 1 damage noted on either side of the path. Peak width was right at a quarter of a mile, or roughly 450 yards here before the tornado narrowed considerably and weakened. EF-1 strength winds continued along and just north of Long Run Road as the tornado traveled ESE toward the Boyle county line. Here, several hardwoods were snapped and uprooted, along with some roof and minor structural damage to a home. A barn was also partially collapsed. The tornado crossed Deep Creek, and Deep Creek Road doing more tree damage, but largely sparing much structural damage. From here, it crossed into Boyle county were some hardwoods were noted to be snapped north of Cocanougher Road, and again in a grove of trees north of White Road. The final damage point was noted along Battlefield Road about 1.25 miles NNW of Perryville, were some hardwoods were uprooted and softwoods were snapped. From here the tornado lifted. NWS Louisville would like to thank Washington County Emergency Manager Kevin Devine, Area 5 Emergency Manager Kenna Marti Burton, and Area 10 Emergency Manager Bruce Crouch for their assistance with this survey. && 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/CRG/JH