WHITLEY CITY —
The heavy thunderstorms which rolled through Kentucky Wednesday were just a prelude to the destruction brought on Friday evening.
In both instances, McCreary County dodged the proverbial bullet.
On Wednesday, a lightning strike damaged at least one Stearns home and a possible funnel cloud was spotted in the Marshes Siding community. Hail measured nearly an inch. By approximately 4 p.m., the thunderstorm took out some trees at Cumberland Falls. But the most damaging tornadoes stayed north of McCreary as the system moved across the commonwealth.
The National Weather Service confirmed 11 tornadoes touched down in Kentucky on Wednesday: two in LaRue County, two in Muhlenberg County, and one each in Hardin, Henderson, McCracken, Morgan, Pulaski, Russell and Grayson counties. Several counties in western and central Kentucky reported injuries from the storm, including one critical injury, although no deaths have been attributed to the weather.
After a gorgeous day Thursday, officials were again warning of severe weather Friday. McCreary County Schools took no chances and canceled classes while several other area schools and businesses opted to close early in the afternoon.
Governor Steve Beshear declared a statewide emergency to allow local officials immediate access to state resources to assist in public safety and recovery efforts.
The string of violent storms killed at least 39 from Alabama to Ohio with Kentucky suffering the greatest loss of life at 21. Five of those fatalities occurred in nearby Laurel County. Some 300 Kentuckians were injured. Nearly 22,000 were left without power in the storm system’s wake.
Kentucky Emergency Management reported 13 tornadoes touched down Friday across the state.
Again, McCreary County emerged with just light damage.
On Saturday, Congressman Hal Rogers commended emergency personnel and volunteers in addition to offering his prayers. “The people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky are always resilient, and now it is time to pray and band together once more,” Rogers stated.
Governor Beshear toured the hardest-hit communities and signed an executive order to prevent price-gouging. He has deployed more than 385 National Guard troops to assist with storm-related damages.
“The scope and magnitude of devastation in some of our communities is unlike anything I have ever seen,” said Gov. Beshear. “I’ve been in close contact with President Obama since Thursday to ensure we will have the resources our families will need to recover from these storms.”
Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson assessed damage in the community of East Bernstadt in Laurel County with Sen. Tom Jenson.
McCreary County EM/911 Director Rudy Young told the Record that all first responders are on standby with McCreary County agencies expected to be called out at any time.
South Kentucky RECC has also sent crews to help.
The American Red Cross has launched the Kentucky Cares Campaign to assist those affected by last week’s storms. Visit www.redcross.org to learn more.
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Related Photos
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Gov. Steve Beshear visits West Liberty, Ky on a Kentucky National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk after a tornado struck the town March 2. Capt. Stephen Martin
Tornado outbreaks strike Kentucky twice
McCreary escapes storms with little damage
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McCreary County Judge-Executive Doug Stephens and Kentucky Treasurer Todd Hollenbach announce the Treasure Finders event coming Thursday to Whitley City.
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$how Us The Money!
WHITLEY CITY — Did you know that more than $300 million worth of unclaimed property is languishing in Kentucky coffers waiting to be returned to the rightful owners?
One of those rightful owners could be you and you’ll have the opportunity to find out this week. - Disgruntled school employee arrested
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- Kung Fu Kidd
- BREAKING NEWS: Disgruntled school employee arrested
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$how Us The Money!
- Local News
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$how Us The Money!
WHITLEY CITY — Did you know that more than $300 million worth of unclaimed property is languishing in Kentucky coffers waiting to be returned to the rightful owners?
One of those rightful owners could be you and you’ll have the opportunity to find out this week. -
Disgruntled school employee arrested
STEARNS — A Stearns man is being held in the Laurel County Correctional Center without bond after making threatening statements while on the job last week at Pine Knot Primary School.
James M. Paulson, 50, was arrested last Tuesday evening on one count of second-degree -
Litton charged with vehicular murder
SOMERSET — A Somerset man was indicted last week on murder charges stemming from a March automobile accidents which left a McCreary County native dead.
A Pulaski County Grand Jury on Wednesday handed down murder charges for Justin I. Litton, -
Kung Fu Kidd
WHITLEY CITY — When Kenny Kidd was a boy, his hero was martial arts icon Bruce Lee.
Kidd recalls trying to emulate Lee’s fast and furious moves around the house. “I drove my mom crazy,” he laughs. “When I was a kid, I was obsessed with martial arts.” -
BREAKING NEWS: Disgruntled school employee arrested
STEARNS — A Stearns man is being held in the Laurel County Correctional Center without bond after making threatening statements while on the job at Pine Knot Primary School.
James M. Paulson, 50, was arrested Tuesday evening on one count of second-degree Terroristic
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$how Us The Money!
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McCreary Powers to 6-0 District Sweep
After clinching the top seed in the district tournament with a 3-2 win over Wayne County on May 2 the Lady Raiders finished up their regular season district schedule with a final game at Wayne County last Tuesday.
- McCreary Edges SW and Wayne Co. to Claim District’s Number 1 Seed
- McCreary Rallies in 7th Inning to Stun Southwestern
- Lady Raiders Hold Off Southwestern in Extra Innings for District Win
- Raiders Win 100th Game Under Coach Taylor
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- Obituaries
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Larry Dale Murphy
Larry Dale Murphy age 66 years, 3 months, and 29 days of Whitley City,
- Edna M. Vanover
- Laura Jean Campbell Jackson
- Verna Lee Cobb
- Albert Phillips
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