Tornado

A black mailbox with white numbers “303” was all that was left. While planning a volunteer workday with my husband last Friday, we visited a rural part of Morgan County struck by the March 2 tornadoes. I'd heard the words “completely destroyed,” but I had no idea what they truly meant. The search for an insurance client led us down a rural road that is home to Kentucky's forestry service nursery. Long rows of tiny cultivated trees were unscathed, though littered with debris.

A home and barn, located on Ky. 52 in Richmond, were destroyed when an F3 tornado ripped through Madison County last Friday. The storm left two people dead and damaged more than 100 homes. Keith Taylor/ktaylor@winchestersun.com

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch in effect until 4 p.m. Tuesday for 59 counties in Kentucky and Indiana, including Jessamine County. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and multiple tornadoes in and close to the watch area, according to the National Weather Service. People in the affected areas are encouraged to be vigilant in preparation for severe weather. In east central Kentucky, the watch includes Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Scott and Woodford counties.

As board chairman of Perryville Christian Church, I would like to thank everyone who helped with the concert on May 27 for the tornado and flood victims. In our month-long effort of planning and with the great response we had, we will be sending a check to Week of Compassion for $6,000 to be given to those who need the help. This was made possible by so many people that I will not mention any for fear of leaving someone out. The event was held at Perryville Battlefield state shrine with eight performing groups, 52 silent auction items, bake sale, food and drinks.

It took the National Weather Service (NWS) until around noon Tuesday to make the call that Lincoln County had been struck by a tornado, but for those who saw the narrow path of damage running for more than eight miles across the county there was little doubt. Of course, the NWS has to rely on a scientific analysis of radar data and debris patterns to make their call, but Lincoln County High School (LCHS) Principal Tim Godbey got to see the storm in person as it ripped through the complex housing the high school, middle school and 6th Grade Center.

The Nicholasville Lions Club will collect nonperishable food, personal hygeine and blankets to assist the tornado victims of East Bernstadt in Laural County in the Walmart parking lot from 1-6 p.m. March 12 through March 16. For more information, call 333-9582.

Saturday, March 2, marks the first anniversary of the tornadoes that swept through east Kentucky, devastating small farm communities and even two small towns. In light of the ruin, volunteers from all over Kentucky, and many other states, came to the aid of families burdened with the loss of homes, farm structures, fencing, livestock and even loved ones. A special group of men from Boyle County came to Menifee County to volunteer their time at the home of Clayo and Louise Wells.

Last month's outbreak of tornadoes proved to be deadly in many parts of Kentucky. Tornadoes can appear suddenly and without warning, causing destruction and death. During tornado season, it is important for your family to be prepared by taking the following steps: Be familiar with what a tornado funnel cloud looks like. Prepare a family disaster plan and choose a location where you will seek shelter if a tornado is approaching. The best areas are basements or central rooms on the lowest level with no windows.

Volunteers from Forks of Dix River Baptist Church and Pleasant Grove Christian Church are planning a trip to the Frenchburg area to rebuild a structure not covered by FEMA or other assistance. Anyone wishing to participate in the Menifee County aid project may contact  the Rev. Jerry Browning at (859) 339-3409.  The group will leave 7 a.m. Saturday and return that evening. Frenchburg Baptist Church will provide lunch for the volunteers.   To contribute to a rebuilding fund for Menifee County victims, donations may be sent to Traditional Bank, P.O. Box 45, Frenchburg, KY 40322.

A tornado touched down at Waynesburg in southern Lincoln County in mid-afternoon Friday. An unidentified worker in the Lincoln County Emergency Communication center confirmed that a twister had touched down in Waynesburg but could not add any details. Lincoln County Coroner Bill Demrow, who lives in Waynesburg, said the area had been hit by "multiple funnel clouds and damage is widespread. Multiple structures are down. There was quarter-size hail. " He said the stormline starts at the Pulaski-Lincoln County line, and runs up Ky. 39 to the Broughtontown area.

A state-wide tornado drill will roll through town just after 10 a.m. Tuesday. Winchester escaped a potential tornado a year ago when an expected tornado missed central Kentucky and hit areas in eastern Kentucky instead. This drill will be initiated by the NOAA Weather Radio network with the National Weather Service. The drill will be just like the real thing, Clark County Emergency Management Director Gary Epperson said. “It will be initiated just like it would in real life,” he said.

The Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee, working with Kentucky Emergency Management and the National Weather Service Office, will conduct a statewide tornado safety drill at about 10:07 a.m. EST Tuesday. The drill will be triggered by the National Weather Service offices within Kentucky, using a code that will activate weather alert radios, outdoor warning sirens and various media broadcast warning messages. The warning message will emphasize “THIS IS ONLY A TEST, NO IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO PRACTICE YOUR TORNADO SAFETY DRILL AT THIS TIME!

Saturday, March 2, marks the first anniversary of the tornadoes that swept through east Kentucky, devastating small farm communities and even two small towns. In light of the ruin, volunteers from all over Kentucky, and many other states, came to the aid of families burdened with the loss of homes, farm structures, fencing, livestock and even loved ones. A special group of men from Boyle County came to Menifee County to volunteer their time at the home of Clayo and Louise Wells.

Last month's outbreak of tornadoes proved to be deadly in many parts of Kentucky. Tornadoes can appear suddenly and without warning, causing destruction and death. During tornado season, it is important for your family to be prepared by taking the following steps: Be familiar with what a tornado funnel cloud looks like. Prepare a family disaster plan and choose a location where you will seek shelter if a tornado is approaching. The best areas are basements or central rooms on the lowest level with no windows.

Volunteers from Forks of Dix River Baptist Church and Pleasant Grove Christian Church are planning a trip to the Frenchburg area to rebuild a structure not covered by FEMA or other assistance. Anyone wishing to participate in the Menifee County aid project may contact  the Rev. Jerry Browning at (859) 339-3409.  The group will leave 7 a.m. Saturday and return that evening. Frenchburg Baptist Church will provide lunch for the volunteers.   To contribute to a rebuilding fund for Menifee County victims, donations may be sent to Traditional Bank, P.O. Box 45, Frenchburg, KY 40322.

The March 2 tornadoes left several Eastern Kentucky communities in near ruin, and a local faith-based organization is reaching out to one such community to help it get back on its feet. The Wilmore based Go International has been organizing relief efforts to the Magoffin County city of Salyersville, and the need is great, homeland missions coordinator Roger Clark said. “When I say recovery, it is the urgent need to get people's property secured and in the 'dry,' if possible,” Clark said.

Helton, Erwin and Associates would like to take a moment and give thanks to our community for the donations we received on March 10 for the tornado victims in West Liberty. We were able to fill one of the PODS with clothing, water, toothbrushes, toothpaste, canned goods, diapers, diaper wipes blankets and pillows. We give special thanks to Dr. Webster's office, Dr. Susan Couzens' office, and Beto and Bogardus' office for donating boxes of toothpaste and toothbrushes; Dr. Warren Nash; Rob Longwill; Bob Allen for loaning a truck; and Woodstock Farms for loaning a trailer that we are still in the process of filling for a return trip.  We will continue to take items until Saturday, March 31, and will send another truck then.  We greatly appreciate everyone's donations, which proves once again, Danville is a very caring and giving community.

By the time you are reading this, more than a week will have passed since the monster tornadoes targeted many of our communities. I want to tell the victims that you are not alone; Kentucky stands with you. The Red Cross has been overwhelmed with Kentuckians' generosity, so much so that they are now asking for cash donations instead of material items. I pray that the Lord continues to provide strength to the people who have lost loved ones and possessions and also for the first-responders and other citizens who have worked unfailingly in order to set right what nature has done her best to destroy.

Danville officials are replacing a tornado siren in the Streamland pool parking lot at an estimated cost of $16,000. The siren is one of eight within the Danville city limits, said network administrator Mike Warren. It was placed in its current location during 1996 or 1997. All of the tornado sirens in the city are old, noted Interim City Manager Ron Scott. Some were placed in the 1990s, while others were installed in the 1970s, added Boyle County Emergency Management Director Lennie Shepperson.

List of tornado relief donation centers provided The Kentucky Tornado Relief Team has provided a list of donation centers and contact information for those wishing to donate to or find out what donations are needed for tornado recovery efforts in the state. The website kyem.ky.gov will be updated with more information later this week. The contact list is: Wolfe County Volunteer and Donations; contact person is Pollyanna Gilbert; (606) 668-7900; pshou1@uky.edu West Bernstadt Donation Center; contact person is Rob Lowe; (606)