Radar-indicated rotation; over 1,000 lose electricity
BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — A violent round of Sunday night storms brought a tornado warning to Martin County, toppled trees across the county and knocked out electricity to more than 1,000 customers.
The National Weather Service in Jackson issued the tornado warning for northeastern Martin County as a powerful thunderstorm moved through the area. At 8:04 p.m., radar showed rotation in a storm over Calf Creek near Inez as it moved southeast at 25 mph. The warning remained in effect until 8:30 p.m.
The warning was based on radar-indicated rotation rather than a confirmed tornado. The National Weather Service listed a tornado and quarter-size hail as possible hazards and said the storm would be near Warfield around 8:10 p.m.
Flooding was also a concern as storms continued across eastern Kentucky. The National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory for Martin County Sunday night, followed by a Flood Watch that extended into Monday.
By the time the weather cleared, emergency crews had fielded calls from across Martin County.
Martin County Emergency Management Director Clyde Adams said 911 received 17 calls involving downed trees.
“I don’t know how many calls we had about power outages,” Adams said.
Those outages were widespread. More than 1,000 Kentucky Power customers in Martin County initially lost electricity during the storm.
By noon Monday, 531 customers remained without power.
Adams said he spoke with Kentucky Power earlier Monday while the utility was still assessing the damage and working to restore service.
“Pigeon Roost was out this morning, but it has been restored,” Adams said.
Residents along Old Route 3 were among those still reporting outages late Monday.
Martin County 911 Director Nick Endicott said the storm did not leave one concentrated damage zone.
“There was no center of damage,” Endicott said.
Instead, problems scattered across the county.
“It was pretty widespread throughout the county,” he said. “There is an area around Calf Creek where they had a lot of trees down. Other than that, it’s been widespread.”
A falling tree struck at least one home.
Adams said a tree on Milo Road in Tomahawk caught the corner of a residence but did not penetrate the home.
Emergency responders also responded to a gas station in downtown Inez, where wind reportedly knocked over a gas pump.
The weather settled down Tuesday, giving residents and responders a break from the storms.
The calmer conditions will continue through much of Wednesday. The National Weather Service Jackson forecast calls for partly sunny skies, highs in the mid-80s and light, variable winds. A 30% chance of showers returns Wednesday night.