Tornado Touchdown Confirmed In Laurel County

LONDON, Ky. (AP) - Meteorologists confirmed Thursday that a tornado hit a rural stretch of southeastern Kentucky on Wednesday as part of a storm that damaged about two dozen structures.

Laurel County Sheriff Fred Yaden said there were no reported injuries.

"It was real intense," he said. "The winds were really strong, and the rain was coming in gushes."

A National Weather Service storm survey team sent to the scene determined that the tornado with winds estimated between 86 and 110 mph touched down Wednesday afternoon about one mile west of the Pittsburg community in Laurel County, according to the weather service office in Jackson.

Laurel County public safety director Brian Reams said about 24 structures were damaged, including homes, barns and outbuildings. He said officials had not yet compiled an estimated dollar loss.

Several homes near Pittsburg had shingle damage, and a number of
trees were downed, the weather service said. A downed tree fell on
a home, and a mobile home was blown off its foundation, it said.

The tornado cut a swath of damage stretching about two miles long and 200 yards wide, the weather service said.

There was also hail reported in nearby Clay County.

Hot and muggy Sunday in store