The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a preliminary damage assessment of an EF-3 tornado from Sunday night’s severe weather outbreak.
Survey teams determined the tornado tracked from north-central Jefferson County eastward into far western Wayne County. The storm produced estimated peak winds of 140 miles per hour and carved a path approximately 14 miles long.
The tornado is being blamed for extensive damage across the area and is connected to two fatalities in Jefferson County. The victims were identified by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as 83-year-old Dolores B. Shelton and 62-year-old Sarita L. Kimble, both of Mount Vernon.
National Weather Service officials say the rating is preliminary and could be adjusted as additional damage assessments are completed. Cleanup and recovery efforts continue in the affected communities with assistance from local agencies and volunteer organizations.